William W. Cotter
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
0-796663
359th Fighter Squadron
356th Fighter Group
Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: February 26, 1944
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
First Lieutenant William W. Cotter
Introduction
First Lieutenant William Wallace Cotter, known to friends and family as Wally, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Alberta Cotter. Born in New Jersey, his parents had moved to Laurel Springs NJ from Pennsylvania by 1918 and in 1930 owned a home at 531 Walnut Street. His father worked as a telephone repairman. William had two older sisters, Virginia and Margaret.
He graduated from Haddon Heights NJ High School and had worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard before entering the Army in April of 1942. He qualified for flight duty and was commissioned at Napier Field, Alabama, on January 15, 1943. He went overseas later that year as a member of the 359th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, where he was promoted to First Lieutenant. He flew a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter in combat from Martlesham Heath, England.
In January of 1944, the Camden Courier-Post reported that Lieutenant Cotter had been awarded the Air Medal for completing 10 combat missions. He went on to complete over 50 missions flying P-47D Thunderbolt fighters.
William Wallace Cotter was killed when the P-47D he flew, nicknamed “The Falcon,” crash-landed at Martlesham Heath, England, on February 26, 1944. On April 15, 1944, an official War Department release stated that First Lieutenant William Wallace Cotter had been posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
William Cotter was survived by his parents at 531 Walnut Avenue, Laurel Springs.
The Falcon at Martlesham Heath
The Falcon and her crew at Martlesham Heath.
Left to right: Staff Sgt. Francis H. “Mac” McGillvray, Lt. William W. Cotter, Corporal Herman S. Spencer, Staff Sergeant Robert M. Conrad.
Left: Kesgrave Hall, where officers of the 359th Fighter Squadron lived, about one mile from Martlesham Heath airfield. Right: The 359th Fighter Squadron bar.
Laurel Springs Man Awarded Air Medal
Camden Courier-Post —
Award of an Air Medal for 10 operational sorties over Europe has been made to First Lieut. William W. Cotter, of 531 Walnut avenue, Laurel Springs, according to word from the Eighth U. S. Fighter Command in England. Announcement of the award was made by Maj. Gen. William E. Kepner. Lieutenant Cotter, a Thunderbolt fighter pilot, is a graduate of Haddon Heights High school. He was employed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard before entering service as an air cadet in April, 1942. He trained at Napier Field, Ala.
Five South Jersey Men in 8th AAF Honored
Camden Courier-Post
DFC Awarded to Dead Laurel Springs Pilot and Camden Gunner
Decorations for five South Jersey men for outstanding service with Eighth AAF commands in England have been announced in official releases.
Included in the awards is a Distinguished Flying Cross for Staff Sgt. Walter Pickup, 30, of 47 Randolph street, waist gunner aboard the Fortress “The Flagship,” first American bomber to blast Berlin.
A similar award has been ordered posthumously for Lieut. William W. Cotter, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cotter, of 331 Walnut ave., Laurel Springs, who was killed recently in line of duty. He had served on 50 combat missions and was the holder of the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Lieutenant Cotter was a fighter pilot and was cited for the “skillful and zealous manner in which he sought out the enemy and engaged in combat.”
January 15, 1943
Camden Courier-Post
At Napier Field AL, Air Force training school, commissions have been won by William W. Cotter of 531 Walnut Avenue, Laurel Springs, and Meredith W. Henry of 132 Brentwood Avenue, Pitman NJ. Lieutenant Cotter, a graduate of Haddon Heights High School, was employed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard until he entered the service as an aviation cadet last April.