Walter Lee Rice Jr. was born 17 December 1921 in Milligan College, Tennessee. He was the son of Walter Lee Rice Sr. and Bertha Mae Ellis. His brother Robert Edward Rice served during WWII with the USNR on the USS Houston
He Died 2 March 1945
Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, TN
Sergeant
305th Bomber Group, 422nd Bomber Squadron, 8th Air Force
The aircraft B-17G with serial number 42-97756 was on a heavy bombardment mission to the area of Bohlen in Germany. Sgt Rice was the Tail Gunner. The aircraft returned to AAF Station 105 after completion of the mission, with the body of Sgt. Rice. He died instantaneously, cause of death being perforating flak wounds in the right temple and right axilla, and a shattered right arm.
Sgt Rice was buried on 3 March 1945 in the American Military Cemetery, Cambridge, England. He was subsequently buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, TN.
The Erwin Record, July 22, 1948
Funeral services for Sgt. Walter L. Rice Jr., will be held Friday afternoon at the Erwin Presbyterian Church. The deceased will arrive in Erwin at noon Thursday and will be taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Rice, Sr., 233 North Willow Street.
Sgt. Rice was a graduate of Unicoi County High School. After his graduation, he attended the University of Tennessee for one year and East Tennessee State College for two years. He enlisted in the service at the end of his second year at State and was inducted into the service in April, 1943. He was trained at numerous camps within the United States. The deceased was widely known in athletic circles, having been one of the outstanding football players while attending State College. He was employed two years before his induction as assistant manager of the Majestic Theatre in Johnson City. Sgt. Rice was assigned to combat service as a gunner on a B-17, leaving het United States on December 24, 1944, and he participated in twelve combat missions. He received the Air Medal and the Oak Leaf Cluster while in the service. Sgt. Rice was killed in action over Boohlen, Germany, on March 2, 1945. Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Rice; two brothers, Z.E. Rice, Kingsport, Tennessee and Robert Rice of Erwin; two sisters, Mrs. Ralph Striker, St. Louis, Mo., and Patricia Rice, of Erwin. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 17 December 1921
- Date of death: 2 March 1945
- County: Unicoi
- Hometown: Erwin
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 305th Bomber Group, 422nd Bomber Squadron
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Burial/Memorial Location: Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, Unicoi County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Top Panel
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