Willie Lee Starbuck was born on August 31, 1914, in Queen City, Schuyler County, Missouri. He was the son of Clarence Willie Starbuck and Ola Dufur Starbuck. He was married to Jesse Helen McKenzie Starbuck Prejean. He served in the 734th Bomber Squadron, 453rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-24J #42-50703, nicknamed “Worry Bird” during World War II.

On February 9, 1945, the “Worry Bird” participated in a major bombing mission over Germany, where more than 300 B-24 bombers, escorted by P-51 fighters, successfully attacked the Rothensee oil plant at Magdeburg before returning to RAF Old Buckenham in Norfolk, England. As the aircraft approached base and entered the landing pattern, Worry Bird collided with another B-24, “Spirit of Notre Dame” (42-95102), during the hazardous approach phase near the airfield. The impact was catastrophic, causing Worry Bird to lose control and crash in a fireball at Bury’s Hall Farm in Carleton Rode, approximately 100 yards short of the runway, killing all 11 crew members instantly, while the other aircraft, though damaged, managed to regain control and land safely.

SSgt Starbuck is now buried in the Queen City Cemetery, Queen City, Schuyler County, Missouri, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, https://aviationtrails.co.uk