Page 20 - MFM Nov 2014
P. 20
Reprinted by permission of Robert Stillwell
William Daniel Bernier was born to Walter E Bernier was assigned to a B-24 Liberator operational training
and Louise C ‘Jahn’ Bernier on November 11, 1915 in squadron at Wendover Field, Utah. In October,
Augusta, Montana. Bernier grew up on the family ranch 1943, Bernier was ordered to Herington Field,
south of Augusta, not too far from Bowman’s Corner Kansas, for final processing before duty overseas. He
on Flat Creek next to the Rocky Mountain front. To was assigned to the 90th Bomb Group, 321st Bomb
his family and most of his friends he was known as Squadron, the “Jolly Rogers”, in the Fifth Air Force.
“Laddie”. The group’s heavy bombers were distinguished by
a skull and crossed bombs painted on each B-24’s
William joined his father’s Masonic Lodge, Augusta rudder.
Lodge No. 54. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice
on April 21, 1937, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft In March, 1944, the 90th Bomber Group had
on June 2, 1937, and on June 16, 1937 he was raised to relocated to Nadzab Air Field, a forward base on
the sublime degree of a Master Mason. New Guinea approximately 100 miles southeast
of enemy strongholds on that island. Bernier was
At the time of his death in 1975 Walter Bernier reported missing in action on April 10, 1944 after a
(William’s Father) was a 55 year member of Augusta raid the Japanese held port at Hansa Bay. His B-24D,
Lodge. serial number 42-41188 “Hot Garters” was leading
a 60-bomber formation. Their plane went down
William Bernier worked in the forestry industry and after being hit by anti-aircraft fire over the city of
attended three years at Montana State University in Madang. The aircraft veered west and plummeted
Bozeman. into the dense forest a few miles inland. At least four
of the 12 crewmen on board were able to parachute
Three days after Japanese forces attacked Pearl from he aircraft, according to observers, but were
Harbor, Hawaii, William Bernier at age 26 had enlisted later reported to have died in captivity.
into the Army as a private. Bernier received basic
training in Missouri, and was later commissioned into
the Army Air Force. He graduated from the 10-week
Pbaogme 2b0ardment school at Ellington Field, Texas, and
