William M. Banks

William McGowan Banks (September 1, 1915 – May 6, 1983) was an American flying ace in the 348th Fighter Group. He retired as a colonel from the United States Air Force in 1963, after 30 years of military service.

Early life Born on 1915 in Raleigh, West Virginia, Banks joined the West Virginia National Guard in 1933 and received an honorable discharge on 1936.

Military career After completing college, he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Corps on March 15, 1941. He served as a flying cadet at Kelly Field in Texas, from March 1941 to October 1941. In November 1941, he was awarded his pilot wings and was commissioned as second lieutenant.

In February 1945, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and on the same month, the 348th FG transitioned from P-47s to P-51 Mustangs at San Marcelino. In June 1945, he was made commander of the 348th FG and the unit moved to airfield at Ie Shima in Okinawa, where they began flying long-range missions over the Japanese Home Islands. He remained in the command of the 348th FG in Ie Shima till November 1945.

Post war After the end of World War II, Banks continued to serve in the newly created United States Air Force. After attending Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, from June 1951 to June 1952, he served in a variety of command and staff positions over the next several years, including serving as Chief of the Air Force Section with Military Assistance Advisory Group in Norway from December 1951 to July 1954.

Banks' final assignment was at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas, where he served on the staff with Headquarters San Antonio Air Material Area. He retired from the Air Force on July 1, 1963.

Banks died on May 6, 1983, at the age of 67. He was buried at the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, West Virginia.

Awards and decorations His awards include:

USAF Command Pilot badgeSilver Star Legion of Meritwith bronze oak leaf cluster Distinguished Flying Crosswith two bronze oak leaf clusters Air Medalwith one silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Commendation MedalAir Force Presidential Unit Citationwith bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit AwardAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith silver campaign starWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation Medalwith 'Japan' claspNational Defense Service Medalwith service starAir Force Longevity Service Awardwith silver oak leaf clusterPhilippine Liberation Medal

Silver Star citation

Banks, William M. Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces 342nd Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force Date of Action: December 24, 1944

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) William McGowan Banks (ASN: 0–429515), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as Pilot of a P-47 fighter airplane of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, in action during an escort mission to Clark Field, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 24 December 1944. Following his plan of preceding a main body of fighters to gain information on the deployment of enemy opposition, Major Banks led an element of two of a total force of sixty-six P-47 type aircraft. On approaching the target, he climbed to attack several enemy airplanes and, concentrating his fire on one of them, sent it crashing to the ground. After apprising his formation of the strength and deployment of Japanese aircraft in the area, he joined in the ensuing battle and brought down another fighter which was trying to escape. His squadron, taking full advantage of the advance information he supplied, accounted for thirty-two of the interceptors. The outstanding leadership and gallantry displayed by Major Banks reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.