William F. McClain

Sergeant • U.S. Army Air Forces • Serial 13052248

Entered service from New Jersey • Died January 11, 1944

Buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 79 Site 434–436, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri

Sergeant William F. McClain was born in Philadelphia PA in 1920 to William M. and Ruth F. McClain. When he was born, his father was working as an oyster salesman; the family later moved to 113 Barlow Avenue in Delaware Township NJ (now Cherry Hill). The elder McClain worked variously as a bookkeeper and in the wholesale fish business in Philadelphia. William F. McClain graduated from Merchantville High School and worked in his father’s business before enlisting in the United States Army in January of 1942. He had been living on North Cove Road in Merchantville at that point.

William McClain received training at Scott Field IL prior to going overseas in August of 1942. He was stationed in the United Kingdom. Sergeant McClain was listed as missing in action early in 1944, and a finding of death was issued by the Army thereafter. His death was reported in the Camden Courier-Post on February 22, 1944. He was survived by his parents and sister. The remains of Sergeant McClain and his crew were later recovered and buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 13, 1950.