1st Lt. W.G. Ebersole
462nd Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group
Ebersole began his piloting career in the Army Air Force at Maxwell Field, Alabama and continued at Arcadia, Florida which is where he was born and raised. This gave him a huge advantage as he knew the area and could never have gotten lost during flights. He continued on and eventually ending up at Bartow Army Air Base in Florida, where he gained about 270 hours flying a P-51, due to pilots at the time not being needed anywhere specifically, so he got extra time at the base to train. Finally, he was selected and moved to the 506th Fighter Group based at Lakeland, Florida. They left the U.S. in mid February on their way to an unknown destination, which would eventually be Iwo Jima. Flying P-51’s for the 462nd Fighter Squadron, he was assigned to aircraft #619, along with 1st Lt. J.R. Bercaw. It was during one of the first missions to Japan that Bercaw’s gun camera footage showed him strafing an outhouse on an airfield, and thus, the name and nose art was applied to their P-51, as a good laugh. Ebersole went on to fly 12 VLR missions, but only received credit for 10 as 2 were weather aborts. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and was credited with one probable destroyed aircraft on the ground.
Included here are original photos that Ebersole took on Iwo, as well as some documents including his hand written mission list and citations for awards.
Bill in the cockpit of his P-51. Notice he is just in a t-shirt! This was a little photo shoot he did for himself to send some pictures back home.
Bill next to #619, with the 462nd Fighter Squadron insignia clearly shown.
A scan of Bill's complete original mission list he kept for himself.
Bill again in #619 for his 'photo shoot'.
Bill liked to take photographs, and brought his own camera on Iwo. Here he is looking at a light meter that he kept with him for picture taking.
A form showing what equipment and uniform items were given to Bill.
Similar type form as previous.
Here is #619 before the nose art was applied. You can also see no mission markings and the yellow striped tail.
A photo from Bill in the cockpit while they were flying CAP (combat air patrol) around Iwo.
Another photo from CAP duty. Bill said he wouldn't ever taken his camera on missions.
Bill on the left in a small tent, or as they called it...home.
A flight of four P-51's coming back from a mission, taken as they arrive over Iwo Jima.
A photo of the 462nd officer's club.
A sketch Bill did of a P-51.
A great shot of the nose art of 'Hon. Mistake.'
Bill with Mt. Suribachi in the background.
A photo of Bill next to a Japanese airplane wing. Notice the small squares taken out, most likely for souvenirs.
Bill kneeling, with some squadron mates. He was the youngest in the group, and was affectionately known as 'The Kid'.
Bill this time on his Mustang!
Sitting on his P-51, next to the 462nd FS insignia.
Mustangs over Iwo.
Ebersole's Quonset hut was right next to the mess hall. They had a regular problem with mice entering, so they decided to build traps. Ebersole perfected one of the other pilot's traps, and became the leading 'ace' of their hut.
Ebersole and his bunkmates.
Ebersole took this picture on a 'get away' to Tokyo after the war ended.
The sad reminder of the war on Iwo.
Ebersole outside their 'home' on Iwo.
A staged photo for his own scrapbook, Ebersole sits in the cockpit of #619. Note just the t-shirt on under the flight gear.
Document awarding Bill battle participation credit in the squadron.
Award of the Air Medal.
Pilots and ground crew of 'Hon Mistake'.
The famous photographer Loomis Dean, who worked for Life magazine post war, took this photo of Ebersole getting ready for a mission. Dean's assignment for the USAAF at the time was to find the youngest pilot on Iwo.