William L. Caldwell
Date of Birth: August 19, 1923
Place of Birth: Cawker City, KS
Father and Mother’s Names: James H. Caldwell & Alma Schlaefli
Spouse and Children's Names: Anne N. Bowman
Date Entered Service: Received wings September 13, 1944
Service Branch: Navy
Rank/Specialty: Ensign
Service ID: 419421
Division/Company/Unit info: 15th Bomber-Fighting Squadron
Awards and Commendations: TBD
Riley Connection: William moved to Manhattan, KS as a child and graduated from Manhattan High School. He married Anne N. Bowman from Manhattan, KS in 1947, after returning from the war and graduated from Kansas State University.
His brothers-in-law also honored veterans from Riley County were James Bowman, Charles Bowman and Herman (Babe) Bowman.
Date of Death (Age): TBD
Grave Location: Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Zeandale, Kansas
Bio: “Bill” Caldwell was born on August 19, 1923 at Cawker City Kansas. After graduating from Manhattan High School he immediately began making preparations to enter Naval Aviation. Upon being accepted, he was sent to Del Monte, California, for Pre-Flight training and later transferred to NAS, Corpus Christi, Texas, where he received his Wings on Sept 13, 1944. From Corpus Christi he was assigned to NAS, Jacksonville, Florida, for Operational training in fighter aircraft before joining VBF-15 in January, 1945. With the squadron he made an assistant in the Flight Department.
