William A. Monson entered military service in Ohio. He served in the 331st Bomber Squadron, 94th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Left Waist Gunner on the B-17 #42-31212 during World War II.

On January 5, 1944, his crew took off at Bury St. Edmunds airfield in England on a bombing mission to the Merignac airfield in France. After completing the mission, they were attacked by two German Focke-Wulf 190s and shot them down. The impact from 20mm shells tore their aircraft in half. SSgt Monson was killed in this incident. He bailed out, but his parachute did not open or has attached to the plane's wing killing him.

SSgt Monson is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net, www.aerosteles.net, www.abmc.gov