William Homer Bethea

Graduating Class
1940

Major
Electrical Engineering

Activities at Clemson
Cadet Corporal, Sergeant; Honors 2,3: Tau Beta Pi, Palmetto Literacy society, A.I.EE, Swamp Fox club

Hometown
Marion, South Carolina

Family
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Bethea.  Sister, Mrs L. D. Lide, Jr. of Marion.  

Service & Rank
Navy, Lieutenant (Junior Grade)

Unit
VOC-1 based aboard USS Marcus Island

Awards/Citations
Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star, Air Medal with 10 gold stars, and Purple Heart.

Date of Birth
Oct 14, 1918

Date of Death
Apr 18, 1945

Details of Death
Missing in action - His FM -2 aircraft was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and was seen to crash into the sea about 200 yards off the shore of Minami Daito Jima, Nansei Shoto.

Burial Details
His name is inscribed on the Tablet of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu Hawaii.

Barrow Stone Location
SE