William H. Merriam was born on May 12, 1917, in Lethbridge Census Division, Alberta, Canada. He joined the US Army Air Corps in 1939 and trained as a fighter pilot. He was sent to England to observe how the RAF flew and fought against the German Luftwaffe. On his return to the USA, he trained American pilots before once again returning to England to fly fighter aircraft.

On the 3rd of June 1944, he took off from Station 417 airfield in Ashford, England. Piloting the P-47 D-10-RE #42-75083, he was leading a fighter squadron to strafe German installations and supply trains in Creil and Chantilly, France, prior to the DDay landings.

The Thunderbolt aircraft he was flying attacked a flak battery on the banks of the River Oise at Saint- Leu-d'Esserent. His aircraft was hit and received a direct blow into the fuel tank, and he crashed into the nearby hillside.

Lt Col. Merriam was originally buried in the local churchyard. His final resting place is in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com