S/Sgt.

William John Bodenschatz

Quartermaster Supply Technician / Parachute Shop Supervisor

443rd Sub Depot

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

Serial Nr 13021083

Died 23rd December 2004

William John Bodenschatz was born on 14th January 1917, in Lilly, Pennsylvania. His parents were Michael John and Annie Catherine (Beck) Bodenschatz, and he was one of nine children - he had seven sisters and one brother. William (Bill) graduated from Lilly High School in 1937, and moved to Lewistown, Pennsylvania to find employment. Prior to enlisting, he worked as the Delicatessen Manager at a large food market, The Giant Food Store, the second store of what became a large chain of several hundred stores today.

Bill enlisted to the US Army Air Corps later on the 29th October 1942. After training, he was assigned to the 6th Service Squadron on 6th January 1943, departing Brooklyn on this day for the journey across to the British Isles. On 14th January the ship docked at Gurick in Scotland, with Bill arriving at Station 106 Grafton Underwood on the 16th January 1943. By this time, the 6th Service Squadron was already established at RAF Grafton Underwood, and would likely have worked with the 305th & 96th Bomb Groups in their short term stays at the airfield. On 25th May 1943, the first aircraft of the 384th arrived, and the Squadron's task of keeping the fleet of aircraft airworthy began in earnest, with a wealth of talent and skills spread across the unit to try and cover all eventualities thrown at them. 

Later that year, the 6th Service Squadron was to evolve into the 443rd Sub Depot and on the 19th November 1943, S/Sgt. Bodenschatz was assigned to this unit.  Although originally a Quartermaster Supply Technician, at some point S/Sgt. Bodenschatz was to move to the Parachute Shop, where he was to become a Supervisor. The Parachute Store was a standalone building on the Technical Site, with high ceilings to enable the hanging and drying of parachutes. To facilitate the drying process, the building had its own temperature control system and was generally operated by a team of around 12 personnel. He noted that he was entitled to be granted 'flight pay', which could be achieved as he was authorised to take test flights over the airfield to throw out dummies attached to parachutes, for testing purposes.

S/Sgt. Bodenschatz also worked in the motor pool, where he was approved for driving both cars and lorries. He appears to have enjoyed this as it gave him opportunities for some 'unofficial' trips off base, as well as his more official duties!

In 1943, S/Sgt. Bodenschatz talks of a chance meeting in a local public house with Clark Gable, a Hollywood icon of the era who was serving with the 351st Bomb Group, at nearby Polebrook airfield. Gable was to complete five flights with the unit, where he was an aerial photographer, recording many images of the air war. After their initial chat, S/Sgt. Bodenschatz says that the pair met again, with Gable this time having some photographs to go through with him. One of these images was gifted to him, on the premise that it was not to be publicised, for censorship reasons.

In August 1944, the 443rd Sub Depot was to win the prestigious 8th Air Force Stitt Trophy - the "Most proficient Sub-Depot ground support unit in the entire 8th Air Force". 

As with many of the support roles provided by the 443rd Sub Depot, their work took place quietly and efficiently away from the spotlight bestowed upon the aircrew. However, without their work, aircraft and crews could not operate and continue the fight  - on one occasion, a pilot who had bailed out - and subsequently used one the parachute shop's parachutes - handed over a bottle of wine to the Parachute Shop's team on his return to the airfield, in appreciation of their work in saving his life over occupied Europe.

Spare time was spent writing letters home, playing baseball and taking in the film shows and live acts at the Foxy Theater. Like many of the personnel stationed on the airfields, some home comfort was always welcome with local families in the surrounding towns and villages, at places like Grafton Underwood, Geddington, Kettering and Corby. S/Sgt. Bodenschatz struck up a friendship with Ruby Robson of Corby, whose boyfriend was away on active duty - whilst on leave, he was able to return and meet Ruby and S/Sgt. Bodenschatz.

After war's end, the ground crew were given the opportunity to overfly what had been occupied Europe to see for themselves the results of their efforts over the past years. There were two separate 'tours', it would appear the S/Sgt. Bodenschatz took the opportunity to do both. In June 1945 the 384th Bombardment Group was to swap the airfield at Grafton Underwood for an airfield in Istres, France and on 14th June 1945, S/Sgt. Bodenschatz joined the unit in France.

On 24th September 1945, he was to return to England with the 823rd Air Engineering Squadron, 447th Air Service Group, Station 369 at Martlesham Heath, Norfolk.

As operations wound down, it became his turn to finally head home. On the 20th October 1945 he was to set sail onboard USS Lake Champlain, for his journey back to New York. On the 31st October 1945 he was formally discharged from service, returning home to Lilly to see his parents and also his girlfriend, Violette Lucile George. 

On 30th December 1945 the pair were to marry, and purchase a house in Lewistown. They were to have two children - Diane (born 1946) and Rick (born 1950). 

William passed away on 23rd December 2004, aged 87. Lucile passed away in 2007. Today, they rest together in the Juniata Memorial Cemetery, Lewistown, Pennsylvania.

Much of the information recorded in William's story by the Museum comes courtesy of his book, "Five Years for Freedom". The Museum wishes to thank his son Rick for his help in recording his father's story.

Research courtesy of Keith Andrews on behalf of 384th Bombardment Group Museum. 

With kind thanks to the 384th Bomb Group website www.384thbombgroup.com for permission in using material from their records in the making of this story. It holds a wealth of information, documents and photographs of their activities during World War 2.

Further information courtesy of www.newspapers.com, www.ancestory.com and www.findagrave.com