Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1947 Lucky Bag:

William George Hearne

“We’re loyal to you, Poplar Bluff, We’re loyal and true Poplar Bluff.” Anyone wanting to know the latest about the Bluff, (the gateway to the beautiful, scenic Ozarks of Missouri) see “Bees-Buddy.” Had the O D. not come around youngster year he could have shown you at graduation any edition of the home town gazette since plebe summer. Battlin’ Bill could always be counted on to ask the prof those simple questions, which usually ended up with the poor fellow in knots, reaching for his gouge. Few of us will have to think twice before remembering him, as he’s had little trouble making lasting friends.

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The Class of 1947 was graduated in June 1946 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

From Moberly (Mississippi) Monitor-Index on July 14, 1950:

MIAMI, Fla., July 14—AP— A hurricane-hunting flier stepped from a taxiing airplane after a training flight last night and was fatally injured.

Lt. (JG) William George Hearne, 25, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., fell three feet from a plane moving only 15 miles an hour, but he struck the concrete of the Miami Naval Air Station runway, the Navy reported. He died early today at the veterans hospital.

Lt. Hearne was not the pilot of the craft. He had served as a navigator and was one of several officers in the cabin of the big hurricane-hunting plane.

The plane had completed a landing and was moving along the runway to get into position for another takeoff.

Exact circumstances of the accident were being studied by a board of inquiry.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

William was preparing to leave through the bomb bay doors, and he may have hit against the cross supports as he fell. He joined Patrol Squadron 23 in April that year.

His father George owned a tie and timber business, mother Clara, brother Frank, and sisters Polly and Kate.

William is buried in Missouri.

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Charles Glisson, Jr. ‘47 was also in 17th Company.