William (Bill) Archer was a copilot in "The Ground Pounder", a B-17G Flying Fortress in the 447th Bomber Group of the Eighth Air Force stationed in
Rattlesden, England. He was shot down twice during World War II. According
to 447th BG records, the "A/C #095 (42-31095), pilot Lt. Zalewski, suffered the loss of one engine and damage to a second engine over the target due to flak. He trailed the formation to the French Border where he lost another engine. The last message received was that operating on one engine and running out of fuel, he had successfully bailed out his crew 19 miles SE of Brussels and was preparing to bail out himself. This one aircraft, #095, was lost due to enemy action [on 2 October 1944]. The Ground Pounder was salvaged for parts, where she landed, during April, 1945." Having survived the war, Bill married Nita Allen and went on to be a successful businessman, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He and his wife reside in San Angelo, Texas.