William F. Bellinghausen
World War II
William Bellinghausen was born in Templeton on February 9, 1923, to J. Peter, Jr. and Otellia (known as Tillie) (Hunkler) Bellinghausen. William’s parents came to Templeton in 1913 when his father opened a business as a harness maker. That business later evolved into a hardware store. All family members worked in the hardware store. William’s father died in 1942 before William entered the service.
When William registered for the military draft on June 30, 1942, he was a resident of Los Angeles, CA. He had moved there to work for North American Aircraft Co. in Inglewood, CA and was living with Vincent, one of his older brothers. The plant where William worked was producing T-6 training aircraft and B-25 bombers.
William enlisted in the US Army on February 10, 1943, from California and underwent basic training. He was assigned serial number 39559382. By July 1, 1943, he was a member of the 440th Troop Carrier Group (Squadron 96) of the US Army Air Force. This unit trained to carry airborne troops to their designated drop zone. William was trained as a radioman aboard the aircraft. Training for the 440th TCG began at Baer Field near Fort Wayne, IN followed by Sedalia, MO, Alliance, NE and Pope Field at Fort Bragg, NC. In March, 1944, William and his unit went across the Atlantic and made their first stop at Bottesford, England. A month later, they were transferred to the base at Exeter, England to prepare for the D-Day landings as a part of the US Ninth Air Force. By this time, William was a corporal.
On June 6, 1944, William was aboard a C-47 aircraft carrying paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division. As they conducted their mission, they were hit by anti-aircraft fire from the Germans over Cherbourg, France on the Cotentin Peninsula. Their aircraft was last seen heading out to sea, on fire and rapidly losing altitude. William was reported as missing in action. On June 11, 1945, the US Army declared him deceased and a memorial service was held in Templeton on June 25, 1945. In September, 1945, William was awarded the Air Medal.
In 1949, the US Government offered payments to World War II veterans based on their time in service and time overseas. This program in Templeton was processed by Elmer Schreck. Tillie Bellinghausen contacted Elmer to submit the required paperwork for her missing son. Correspondence with the Department of the Army led to discoveries about William. Three weeks after June 6, 1944, a body had washed up on the French shore that could not be identified. The only clue was a picture in the pocket of the uniform. This unidentified soldier was buried in a US military cemetery in France and designated X-73.
After the submission of affidavits and additional pictures, the US Army determined that the remains were that of William. After five years, William had been found. His remains were returned to Templeton on December 9, 1949, and a funeral Mass was held that day. William had died at age 21 and was on his very first combat mission. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.