Fitch Willis S.

Monuments

American Aviator (Foggiani) Airfield Monument

American Aviator (Foggiani) Memorial Plaque

Name:

Willis S. Fitch

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

Unit:

Foggiani

Date of Death:

1978-08-09

State:

Massachusetts

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia

Plot:

Sec: 8, Site: 6971

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Italian War Merit Cross (Croce al Merito di Guerra): Italian Bronze Medal

Comments:

First Lieutenant Willis (Will) Stetson Fitch (1896-1978) A.S., U.S.A., Tenth Aero Squadron Caproni, Fourteenth Group. He received his flight training in Italy (In Fiorello La Gaurdia's group) and was one of the first 20 aviators on the Italian front in World War I. He flew Italian Caproni bombers in day and night combat over the Alps and was wounded in action. He volunteered for the U.S. Air Service in World War I and for service in the Army Air Forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and served as a colonel at the Pentagon during World War II. Between the wars, he was in the investment banking business in Boston. In 1938, he published a book, “Wings in the Night”, about his wartime experience. After World War II, Col. Fitch was named head of the aviation cadet section of the Army Air Forces in Washington. He was twice decorated with the Legion of Merit. For his service in Italy he was aware two Italian medals:Italian War Merit Cross (Croce al Merito di Guerra): and the Italian Bronze Medal