Bill Cheolas

Bill Cheolas trained as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Although he had completed flight training, he was sent to glider school at South Plains Army Air Field in Lubbock, Texas.

On March 24, 1945, Bill co-piloted a glider into Germany, carrying a jeep and four Airborne soldiers. Their landing zone was obstructed by a power line, forcing Bill and his pilot to dive beneath it. They landed safely in a field under enemy fire, but Bill found himself alone after his pilot and the troops had already moved out. Lacking infantry training and unsure of where to go, Bill remained near the glider, observing the other landing sites and distant artillery. After more than 30 hours without food or water, he found a bottle of wine in a nearby house and returned to the field to rest. At dawn, he joined fellow glider pilots and made his way back to their command post.

Soon after, Bill was informed that he would participate in the planned invasion of Japan. When the war ended in August, Bill felt a profound sense of relief. He returned home briefly but continued his service until leaving the Air Force in 1950, just before the start of the Korean War.