ELANDT, WILLIAM E. died March 18, 1945 age 22 Louisana

WILLIAM E. ELANDT b. Sept 22/1922 Royal Oak, MI;  d. Mar 18/1945 Died Non Battle The Plains, Louisana

2^nd Lt, 0-767169 AAF Squad 49ABS Pilot crew number 43-25387

Buried Holy Sepulchre Cemetery family plot, Southfield, MI

Parents: John Joseph 1892-1952 and Victoria T. (Czeslawske) 1890-1965 both born in Mich. Father served in WWI.

Had to look up Eland – with no T, to find information on William; name spelling are a common problem in genealogy research.
The Eland family moved from Berkley in the 1930’s to Detroit and resided at 16660 Woodbine when he crashed. Theirs was a large family, 7 children only one girl! He had only 3 years of high school and didn't graduate so no senior photo.
Per his draft card he was 5’8”, wt. 140, blue eyes and brown hair. When he enlisted he was employed by Motors Metal. Previously he worked as a nurseryman.
His home base was Harding Field, Rouge, LA, an active air base 1941-1945. William was killed 3 miles south of The Plains, LA when he crashed his plane. He flew the Republic 47D-20-RA Thunderbolt.  Aircraft went into a spin, stalled. Cause of crash stated as ‘due to weather’. An complete accident report can be requested on Aviation Archeology.