Abbreviated Timeline

William Randall Crecelius

#0-888625 (2nd Lt)           #15059246 (S/Sgt Pilot)

 

 

 

Nov 21, 1918               William Randall Crecelius born

Apr ??, 1936                Graduated from Francisco High School

Sep 26, 1940                WRC enlisted in Army at age of 21 years 10 months

Oct 16, 1940                Draft started

Jun 3,  1941                 Enlisted flying students to be “Aviation Students”

Jun 6,  1941                 WRC completed Radio Operators-Mechanics Course

Aug 1941                     First class of “Aviation Students” started training

Nov 1941                     On furlough when he received telegram flight school.

Nov-Dec 1941             WRC in “Preflight”–Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX

Dec 7,  1941                Pearl Harbor

Dec 19, 1941               WRC reported for Primary flight training

(exactly 2 years before his death)

Feb 24, 1942                Completed Primary flight training

Apr 3,  1942                22^nd Troop Carrier Sqd activated–Melbourne AUS.

Apr 29, 1942               Completed Basic Flight Training - Curtis Field – 42F

Apr 29, 1942               Twin-Engine Advanced Flight training Ellington Field

Jul 3,  1942                  Completed Advanced Flight Training

Jul 3,  1942                  Received Pilot Wings-promoted to Staff Sergeant Pilot

Jul 13, 1942                 Ordered to 10^th Transport, 52^nd TCS at Mitchell Field

                                    Sent to Kellogg Field for checkout of C-47

Aug 1,  1942                Transferred to 63^rd TCG at Selfridge Field

Sep 10, 1942                63TCG transferred to Alamo Field, San Antonio, TX

Oct 14, 1942                Received Certificate for instrument flying

Nov 12, 1942               374^th TCG activated in Australia - 22^nd TCS

Dec 20, 1942               Promoted to Flight Officer – Victorville, CA

Dec 1942 – Apr 1943  Victorville, Army Air Base, CA

Feb 14, 1943                22^nd TCS moved to New Guinea Ward’s Drome

Apr 1,  1943                Received orders for New Guinea

Apr 14, 1943               Departed USA

Apr 20, 1943               Transferred from 52^nd TCS to 22^nd TCS – 374^th TCG. 

Apr 27, 1943               1^st mission – 8Flts – 5:40hrs

May 29, 1943              WRC received DFC

Sep 28, 1943                WRC promoted to 2^nd Lt.

Oct 1,  1943                 374^th transferred to Australia-22^nd to Garbutt Field

Oct 1,  1943                 WRC received Instrument Rating Certificate (2^nd Cert)

Dec 19, 1943               WRC Final Flight

Dec 22, 1943               Family Received Telegram about WRC death

Dec 24, 1943               First burial-U.S.A.F. Military cemetery-Townsville 

Jul 18, 1945                 Second burial at Ipswich (Brisbane)–Manson Park

Dec 29, 1947               Left Australia by ship for trip to USA

Mar 8,  1948                Arrived in Princeton, Indiana

Mar 11, 1948               Buried at Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana