William Monroe “Munzie” Bryson was born on December 11, 1917, in Frazee, Becker County, Minnesota. He was the son of Michael Edward Brayson and Cora Belle Mayne Brayson. William served in the 565th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant during World War II. He also served as an Observer of the B-24D-165-CO #4272866 or also known as ''Jackass Male''.

On April 1, 1944, his plane was assigned to bomb Ludwigshafen, Germany, but had a secondary mission to photograph the German V1 missile site at Siracourt, France. During this mission, the aircraft was struck by German anti-aircraft fire and crashed. Of the 11 crew members, only three survived. Sgt Bryson was one of the crew members taken prisoner by the Germans and placed into a POW camp where he died. The death date of Sgt Bryson was originally listed by the US Veterans Affairs Office (when they created this memorial) as the date his plane was shot down, not the actual date of his death, which is still unknown. There's a possibility that Sgt. Bryson was taken alive but not sent to a POW camp. He may have died of injuries/wounds in civilian control. He is now buried in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com