×
×
homepage logo

Fying was a ‘dream come true’ for Word War II pilot

By Staff | May 20, 2014

Bill Keyser is the one and only member of his crew still living today from World War II that flew a B-17 Bomber.

The world was locked in war; no matter where they looked, posters filled the streets; propaganda skyrocketed the businesses; by 1941, war was inevitable for the United States. As courageous men fought for our country, young boys back at home would look to the sky. Their eyes would lighten as they watched an airplane zoom over them and disappear into the clouded skies.

William J. Keyser from Muncy was one of those boys. Born in Chester, Pennsylvania on July 15, 1921, William Keyser constantly looked to the skies, and yearned to fly among those who were fighting for our country. After graduation from Chester High School, Keyser went to work at the Sun Ship Building Company in Chester, Pennsylvania. However, on February 27, 1943, his life completely changed. He was finally going after his dream. “I’ve always wanted to fly. Because of that, I became an Aviation Cadet,” Keyser smiled as his eyes lit up. On the very first day he joined the army, he needed to pass a physical in Nashville, Tennessee, and recalled that the weather was “very cold” there.

Training, of course, was harsh, yet, completely worth it. Keyser admitted that although the long runs were tiresome, the “academics were hard” as well. However, the environment was still good for aviation training. “It was very rigorous and time consuming,” he said. After training, Keyser handed in a letter of recommendation from his high school principal, passed the physical with ease, and finally began his flying tests. His dream was mere footsteps away.

There were three flying tests in all to conquer: primary flying school in Cape Girardeau in Missouri, basic flying in Malden, Missouri, and advanced flying school in Stuttgart, Arkansas. After passing the advanced flying school, Keyser received his Air Force wings; he was finally a pilot for America.

After being assigned as a multi-engine pilot, Keyser went on his first mission. On May 30, Keyser was sent overseas. The target was over France, near Paris. Keyser’s flying career started off with a successful bang. “We dropped our bombs!” Keyser exclaimed. Yet, there was little time to celebrate during the mission. Death stared at the pilots’ faces every moment they remained suspended within the air.

Taken in 1943, Williams J. Keyser from Muncy became an Aviation Cadet and was assigned as a multi-engine pilot during World War II. He said his worst mission was over Bremen, Germany where they were under aircraft fire for a solid 20 minutes.

Before reaching their target, about “20 German fighters flew right through our formation. When we got to the target, a plane exploded in the group ahead of us. At that moment, I thought, “What an awful way to make a living!” Fortunately, for most missions, the biggest threat was th] ‘flak,’ or, aircraft fire, Keyser recalled, “The worst flak mission was over Bremen, Germany. We were in solid aircraft fire for a solid 20 minutes!” Although many times, Keyser would glimpse down at the world below, “We knew where we were; however, during the missions, the toughest part were the flying formations.”

As the B-17 bombers gently flew across the skies towards their target, the pilots’ thoughts would never ramble. If anything, Keyser explained that he hoped the flak wouldn’t be too bad, but it always was. Afterward, once their mission was complete, Keyser remembers how lucky he was to get through it. Each mission contained the possibility of not returning home. Each moment in the sky meant one more breath before another could be taken away forever. Yet for each mission, Keyser remained true to his country, and true to his heart. Each moment in the sky to him was a moment worth living. Adrenaline pumping through his veins, Keyser, along with many other Air Force pilots, knew he was right where he wanted and needed to be.

There is no such thing as an easy mission in war. “The scariest was when we lost two and a half of our four engines during a mission. We had to land at a British Fighter Base in Southern England,” he added. Although there were moments during those years which Keyser believed to be his last, he still loved being a pilot. He knew that he’d rather be nowhere else, other than floating through the clouds.

Keyser was one of the many pilots to bomb on D-Day. “I never saw so many airplanes in my life!” he remembers. Because of that reason, they lost their formation, and were forced to land, and spend a night at a British Bomber Base. In the end, they hit their target and were able to fly back to home base the very next day. D-Day is one of the most recognized days in the United States history. It was not only a turning point for the Allies, but it was a day of sheer courage, and pure will that allowed the Allies to turn the tables, and begin the end of the war.

Keyser’s last mission was over Berlin, but they were recalled because of the bad weather. Throughout the war, Keyser completed 35 missions in 90 days, the second best of his entire crew. He began as a Second Lieutenant, and he ended his career as a Lieutenant Colonel. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 5 air medals. Along with every veteran of World War II, he courageously put his life in peril for the once again threatened freedom and independence. But this time, they not only fought for America, they fought for the world. Evil attempted to attack humanity, but because of the brave soldiers, navy, and air pilots, good triumphed, and peace was restored once again.

Keyser continued within the Air Force reserves for 27 years, and on February 1, 1969, he retired from the Air Force and began a quiet, peaceful life with his loving wife, son, and daughter. For nearly 20 years, Keyser did not touch another airplane; however, he could not keep away from the clouds. He bought an airplane, and “did quite a bit of flying” for about 13 years.

Today, William J. Keyser is the one and only member of his crew still living. He has attended several reunions, and he even worked with one of his crew members for several years.

Although many will know Keyser merely as William Keyser, or even “Bill” Keyser, now 92 years old, he is still young enough to laugh, tease, and contain a small glimmer of light in his eyes as he recalls the adventures within the skies, where he lived his dream, during his B-17 bomber pilot years of World War II.

Fying was a ‘dream come true’ for Word War II pilot

By Staff | May 20, 2014

Bill Keyser is the one and only member of his crew still living today from World War II that flew a B-17 Bomber.

The world was locked in war; no matter where they looked, posters filled the streets; propaganda skyrocketed the businesses; by 1941, war was inevitable for the United States. As courageous men fought for our country, young boys back at home would look to the sky. Their eyes would lighten as they watched an airplane zoom over them and disappear into the clouded skies.

William J. Keyser from Muncy was one of those boys. Born in Chester, Pennsylvania on July 15, 1921, William Keyser constantly looked to the skies, and yearned to fly among those who were fighting for our country. After graduation from Chester High School, Keyser went to work at the Sun Ship Building Company in Chester, Pennsylvania. However, on February 27, 1943, his life completely changed. He was finally going after his dream. “I’ve always wanted to fly. Because of that, I became an Aviation Cadet,” Keyser smiled as his eyes lit up. On the very first day he joined the army, he needed to pass a physical in Nashville, Tennessee, and recalled that the weather was “very cold” there.

Training, of course, was harsh, yet, completely worth it. Keyser admitted that although the long runs were tiresome, the “academics were hard” as well. However, the environment was still good for aviation training. “It was very rigorous and time consuming,” he said. After training, Keyser handed in a letter of recommendation from his high school principal, passed the physical with ease, and finally began his flying tests. His dream was mere footsteps away.

There were three flying tests in all to conquer: primary flying school in Cape Girardeau in Missouri, basic flying in Malden, Missouri, and advanced flying school in Stuttgart, Arkansas. After passing the advanced flying school, Keyser received his Air Force wings; he was finally a pilot for America.

After being assigned as a multi-engine pilot, Keyser went on his first mission. On May 30, Keyser was sent overseas. The target was over France, near Paris. Keyser’s flying career started off with a successful bang. “We dropped our bombs!” Keyser exclaimed. Yet, there was little time to celebrate during the mission. Death stared at the pilots’ faces every moment they remained suspended within the air.

Taken in 1943, Williams J. Keyser from Muncy became an Aviation Cadet and was assigned as a multi-engine pilot during World War II. He said his worst mission was over Bremen, Germany where they were under aircraft fire for a solid 20 minutes.

Before reaching their target, about “20 German fighters flew right through our formation. When we got to the target, a plane exploded in the group ahead of us. At that moment, I thought, “What an awful way to make a living!” Fortunately, for most missions, the biggest threat was th] ‘flak,’ or, aircraft fire, Keyser recalled, “The worst flak mission was over Bremen, Germany. We were in solid aircraft fire for a solid 20 minutes!” Although many times, Keyser would glimpse down at the world below, “We knew where we were; however, during the missions, the toughest part were the flying formations.”

As the B-17 bombers gently flew across the skies towards their target, the pilots’ thoughts would never ramble. If anything, Keyser explained that he hoped the flak wouldn’t be too bad, but it always was. Afterward, once their mission was complete, Keyser remembers how lucky he was to get through it. Each mission contained the possibility of not returning home. Each moment in the sky meant one more breath before another could be taken away forever. Yet for each mission, Keyser remained true to his country, and true to his heart. Each moment in the sky to him was a moment worth living. Adrenaline pumping through his veins, Keyser, along with many other Air Force pilots, knew he was right where he wanted and needed to be.

There is no such thing as an easy mission in war. “The scariest was when we lost two and a half of our four engines during a mission. We had to land at a British Fighter Base in Southern England,” he added. Although there were moments during those years which Keyser believed to be his last, he still loved being a pilot. He knew that he’d rather be nowhere else, other than floating through the clouds.

Keyser was one of the many pilots to bomb on D-Day. “I never saw so many airplanes in my life!” he remembers. Because of that reason, they lost their formation, and were forced to land, and spend a night at a British Bomber Base. In the end, they hit their target and were able to fly back to home base the very next day. D-Day is one of the most recognized days in the United States history. It was not only a turning point for the Allies, but it was a day of sheer courage, and pure will that allowed the Allies to turn the tables, and begin the end of the war.

Keyser’s last mission was over Berlin, but they were recalled because of the bad weather. Throughout the war, Keyser completed 35 missions in 90 days, the second best of his entire crew. He began as a Second Lieutenant, and he ended his career as a Lieutenant Colonel. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 5 air medals. Along with every veteran of World War II, he courageously put his life in peril for the once again threatened freedom and independence. But this time, they not only fought for America, they fought for the world. Evil attempted to attack humanity, but because of the brave soldiers, navy, and air pilots, good triumphed, and peace was restored once again.

Keyser continued within the Air Force reserves for 27 years, and on February 1, 1969, he retired from the Air Force and began a quiet, peaceful life with his loving wife, son, and daughter. For nearly 20 years, Keyser did not touch another airplane; however, he could not keep away from the clouds. He bought an airplane, and “did quite a bit of flying” for about 13 years.

Today, William J. Keyser is the one and only member of his crew still living. He has attended several reunions, and he even worked with one of his crew members for several years.

Although many will know Keyser merely as William Keyser, or even “Bill” Keyser, now 92 years old, he is still young enough to laugh, tease, and contain a small glimmer of light in his eyes as he recalls the adventures within the skies, where he lived his dream, during his B-17 bomber pilot years of World War II.