William H. Chambers, World War II CasualtyPorter County Data on World War II Casualties . . . .
William H. Chambers
Captain, 855th Ordnance Company, Automotive Maintenance Command, US Army
Date of Death: October 19, 1942
Cause of Death: Missing in Action
Monument: Tablets of The Missing At Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu Hawaii
Hometown: Valparaiso
Newspaper Notices:
Report Local Man Missing In War Action
William H. Chambers Last Heard from in Alaska
News that their son, Captain William H. (Bill) Chambers, is being carried as
"missing in action," was received today by Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Chambers, Madison
street, this city, from the adjutant-general's department, Washington, D. C.
Consistent with war department orders the exact location of the post at which he
served has not been definitely known for several months. However, it is assumed
that he was with American forces in Alaska where he was stationed since
mid-summer of this year.
Captain Chamber was graduated from the Valparaiso high school in the class of
1932. In high school he was editor of the Valenian, played in the school band
and orchestra, and was prominent in Hi-Y activities.
He received his first commission coincident with his graduation from Purdue
university with the degree of B. S. in Chemical Engineering in 1936. After
acceptance of active service as first lieutenant, ordnance department, September
2, 1940, he was stationed at Langley field, Virginia, Savannah Air Post,
Savannah, Ga.; Meridian Air Base Meridian, Miss., and Daniel field, Augusta, Ga.
In addition to his command, Captain Chambers was base ordnance officer at both
the Meridian and Augusta camps. His last assignment was as commanding officer of
the 855th Ordnance company and Automotive Maintenance Officer, Headquarters XI,
Air Force Service Command. It was in this capacity that he was awarded his
captaincy, effective October 9, 1942.
Captain Chambers would have been 29 years of age next January 30. He leaves a
wife and one son, age 2 1/2 years, and his parents.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
October 29, 1942; Volume 16, Page 1, Column 3
Missing
A 29-year-old captain in the Automotive Maintenance Command of the U. S. army
air force, William H. (Bill) Chambers, was reported "missing in action" by the
war department yesterday. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Chambers, Madison
street, this city.
Chambers was last believed to have been stationed in Alaska, but the government
did not reveal his last location in their information.
__________________________________________________________________
Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
October 30, 1942; Volume 16, Page 1, Column 7
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List of
Porter County World War II Casualties
Information abstracted and transcribed by Steven R. Shook