William Wendt was born May 6, 1916 in Turton, South Dakota. The resident of Little Falls, Minnesota left his job as an auto dealership assistant manager and salesman to enlist in the RCAF March 20, 1941. The recruiting officer assessed Wendt: “Good type of American lad. Keen to fly. Feels this is their war as much as ours. Definately sincere as to purpose." After receiving his pilot wings at No. 14 SFTS Aylmer, Sgt. Wendt was posted overseas where he completed Operational Training at No. 58 OTU, before joining the newly-formed No. 421 RCAF Squadron, May 26, 1942. On June 6, 1944, No. 19 Squadron provided fighter cover and close air support for ground troops. The following day P/O Wendt was flying No. 2 in Tonic Green Section of four aircraft. At approximately 12:45 hours the section bombed railway marshalling yards near Bernay. After releasing bombs the section continued down to tree-top level and to evade flak, at this point there was an explosion below Green 2 aircraft indicating that he had just released his bombs. The section then climbed to approximately 2,000 feet when black and white smoke was noticed coming from Green 2. After about three minutes flying, large flames came from both exhausts. The section turned in the direction of the beach-head hoping that P/O Wendt would make a safe landing in the area. His speed dropped off rapidly so Green 2 circled him. At this stage the aircraft went into a dive straight ahead, and at about 200 feet, a parachute was seen to open. The aircraft exploded on crashing and P/O Wendt seemed to go straight into the flames. Squadron Leader Gilmour sent a letter to P/O Wendt’s parents informing them that “Bill called up by wireless to say his engine had stopped. Hit by flak or blast from his own bombs.” P/O Wendt’s mother wrote to the RCAF Casualties Officer in 1945 stating: “My son Philip, who is in the American Air Corps visited the American Eagle Club in London where Billy and his friends used to gather. They had not seen any of his close friends since June, and believed that most of them were now dead
