Luther Willis was born on April 20, 1922, in St. Clair County, Alabama. He was the son of Charles Allen Willis and Limana M. Willis. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17 #42-107132 during World War II.

On May 24, 1944, during a bombing mission targeting Berlin, Germany, the aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft. The aircraft crashed near Biesenthal, approximately nine miles southwest of Eberswalde, Germany. Seven crew members were killed in action, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

TSgt Willis was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Valley Hill Cemetery, Pell City, St. Clair County, Alabama, USA. Luther Willis’ name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 19, in the bottom left wing (section C).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org