During World War II, the 330th Bomb Group activated on July 1, 1942 at the Salt Lake City, Utah Army Air base. They trained in the U.S. at Biggs Field in El Paso, Texas and Alamogordo Army Airfield in New Mexico until April 1, 1944. They shipped to Guam in February of 1945 and began combat missions in April of 1945. There were three bomb squadrons in the group including the 457th, 458th, and 459th Bomb Squadron.

Their first mission was on April 12, 1945. They flew 47 bombing strikes over Japan until Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945 (Victory in Japan Day). The 330th Bomb Group inactivated on Jan. 3, 1946 in Kansas.

Willard William Lersch served with the 459th Bomb Squadron of the 330th Bomb Group with the U.S. Army Air Forces.

Lersch was born June 3, 1921 in New Diggins in Lafayette County to Oscar and Irene (Carter) Lersch.

From the 1930 U.S. Census, the Learsch (sic) family lived in Menominee Township, Jo Daviess County, Illinois. The household included father Oscar, mother Irene, and children Willard, Glenn, Isabel, Phyllis, and Evelyn. Father Oscar was a manager of an oil station.

From the 1940 U.S. Census, the Lersch family lived in Gratiot Village in Lafayette County. The family included father Oscar, mother Irene, and children Willard, Glenn, Isabelle, Phyllis, Evelyn, Betty, and Helen. Willard had three years of high school. The family lived in the same house in 1935. Father Oscar was a salesman for an oil and paint company. Son Willard was a laborer (NYA) for school work on a school property.

On Feb. 16, 1942 Willard William Lersch registered for the U.S. WWII Draft. He was living in Chicago. His employer was H. C. Piper, Barg Ericson Corp, in Chicago.

From the July 9, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal, there was a notice from Gratiot that “Lieut. Willard W. Lersch, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Lersch, Gratiot, has been graduated as a navigator from the army navigation school at Coral Gables, Fla.”

A May 3, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “B-29 Crash Kills Lersch, Gratiot” stated “Lieut. Willard Lersch, radio navigator on a B-29 Super-Fortress, was killed in a crash landing on Guam after his first mission to Tokyo Apr. 12, the war department has informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lersch, Gratiot…” From the May 15, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Lersch Services,” the notice stated “A solemn memorial requiem high mass for Lieut. Willard Lersch...in St. Joseph’s Catholic church…His parents have received the Purple Heart awarded posthumously.”

From the June 19, 1948, The Wisconsin State Journal article titled, “Lieut. Lersch Rites,” the article stated that “The body of Lieut. Willard W. Lersch, who was killed in Guam Apr. 12, 1945, will arrive at Gratiot... Services will be held … in St. Joseph’s Catholic church, the Rev. Joseph Carrigg officiating. Military rites will be in charge of the Gratiot American Legion post. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Lieut. Lersch was born in New Diggings June 3, 1921, and came to Gratiot from East Dubuque, Ill., in 1933. He was graduated from Gratiot high school in 1941 and attended Platteville State Teachers college before he entered service Nov. 4, 1942.

A navigator and radar operator on a B-29, he arrived in Guam Apr. 5, 1945. On Apr. 12 his plane crashed a mile from the field after a raid on Tokyo and all except the radio operator were killed.

Survivors include his parents; a brother, Glenn, Chicago, and five sisters, Mrs. Jerry Thryberg, Nora, Ill.; Mrs. Walter Knause, Wiota; Mrs. Harold Hermansen, Argyle, and Betty and Helen, at home.”

Second Lieutenant Willard W. Lersch was on the WWII Honor Roll for Lafayette County. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously. He was reburied in Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Gratiot.

Thank you, 2nd Lieutenant Willard William Lersch, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.