William G. Windeler entered the military service in California. He served in the Division Artillery, 90th Infantry Division as a Second Lieutenant during World War II. He was serving as a forward air observer aboard a single-engine Piper L-4, made of canvas over a light metal frame, piloted by CPT Howard when they were shot down. On July 4, 1944, while performing a crucial artillery spotting role, their plane was hit by a shell from an American 155mm howitzer. The after-action review concluded that the density of US shells was so great and that American pilots' best location from which to direct fire was at altitude immediately over the target. 2LT Windeler is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, https://allyall.org, Eyes of Artillery: The Origins of Modern U.S. Army Aviation in World War II