METROPOLIS, Ill. — United States Army Air Corps Tech. Sgt. William Luster Leukering is now somewhere he hasn’t been for almost 82 years.
He’s among those he called family on land his German immigrant grandparents originally bought in 1854. Around 1856, a part of the farm was sold for $5 to the Round Springs Cemetery district.
Exactly 80 years after his death, Leukering’s remains were buried Thursday, July 18, at Round Springs Cemetery, just outside of Metropolis, Illinois.
“This has been a special day,” said his nephew, Kevin Skahan, following the graveside service that included full military honors.
Kevin Skahan (left), the nephew of United States Army Air Corps Tech. Sgt. William Luster Leukering, and Paul Mathes, a World War II historian and reenactor, show their respects as Leukering’s remains are brought to Round Springs Cemetery for his service on Thursday, July 18.
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Leukering was 27 when he volunteered to enter the U.S. Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the Air Force, on Nov. 6, 1942. He achieved the rank of technical sergeant and was a radio operator, gunner and crew chief on a B-17G Flying Fortress. He was assigned to the 816th Bomber Squadron (Heavy), 483rd Bomber Group (Heavy), 15th Air Force headquarters.
On July 18, 1944, the crew, plus an observer, was part of a bombing raid on German air defense installations in Memmingen, Germany. “Shoo-Shoo Baby II” was struck by enemy anti-aircraft. Due to the damage, the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. Six of those on board parachuted successfully while the other five crew members, including Leukering, who was 28, were believed to still be on board. He was declared non-recoverable on July 26, 1951. His remains were among those recovered in 2018 and were identified through mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis around Christmas 2023.
Leukering’s remains arrived in Metropolis on Friday, July 12.
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Around 40 people turned out Wednesday, July 17, to help the organization The Flagman’s Mission Continues set up flags along the precession route in honor of Leukering.
Volunteers will be needed today, Friday, July 19, to assist The Flagman’s Mission Continues in removing the 2 ½ miles of flags, starting from the Metropolis Municipal Airport to the cemetery.
Around 40 people turned out Wednesday, July 17, to help the organization The Flagman’s Mission Continues set up flags along the precession route in honor of Leukering. Volunteers will be needed Friday, July 19, to help collect the flags.
Volunteers are asked to meet at 4 p.m. today at the airport at 751 Airport Road.
They will need to wear gloves and walking shoes and to bring water. Children over the age of 11 can help.
Clean, empty pickup trucks will also be needed to help transport the 3×5 flags that are on 10-foot poles.
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Paul Mathes, of Nashville, a World War II historian and reenactor, was one of the speakers at Leukering’s service. He emphasized that Leukering, whose father owned and operated a dairy in Massac County, did not have to enter the war as those in food services were seen as necessary workers for the country.
It wouldn’t be the first showing of Leukering’s service above self.
Using the testimonies of two of those six fellow crew members and of Lt. Col. Willard S. Sperry, who was on bomber at the head of 483rd Bomber Group, Mathes painted the events of that July day 80 years ago when the 15th Air Force’s mission was to bomb a German fighter base in Memmingen.
Sperry reported that the bomb group “went into the assigned target area without fighter escort or other group support.” As they approached the target, he saw approximately 75 fighters approaching for a tail attack of the group. Leukering’s bomber was near the front of that tail group. By the time the 483rd was making its final turn to the site, Sperry reported another roughly 75 fighters had joined. Sperry noted that even while the bombers were being shot down, “a considerable number of enemy fighters were shot down by the gunners in these ships as the attack was being made.”
Sperry’s testimony ended noting that 12 remaining aircraft of the 483rd reached their target and dropped their bombs, for which the unit was awarded a presidential citation.
Mathes used the witness testimony of Leukering’s fellow crew members — assistant armorer/waist gunner Staff Sgt. Howell R. Witherspoon and bombardier 2nd Lt. Herbert P. LeBlanc, who in their testimony were asked specifically about Leukering — to paint the rest of the picture.
Witherspoon reported the radio room was hit hard by 20 millimeter cannon shells. LeBlanc reported that before he escaped the bomber, he saw Leukering struggle to save radar operator 2nd Lt. Thomas A. Trevor, who was from Moline, Illinois.
“I believe Leukering attempted to get Lt. Trevor out of the plane and died in the attempt,” LeBlanc reported. “Had pilot Lt. John M. Hommel so desired, he could have saved his own life. But he died in order to give every man on that crew sufficient time to leave our plane, which was burning from both wings. … Likewise, Tech. Sgt. W.L. Leukering could have certainly saved himself except for his attempt to save Lt. Trevor. … I believe such heroism should not go unrewarded. If it is possible to do so, I would like to recommend both of these men for such reward as we are able to give them.”
Picking up in his own words, Mathes emphasized, “Sadly, that never happened.”
“B-17s went on bombing missions day after day in World War II. For 80 years, the selfless, heroic actions of a southern Illinois farm boy were buried in the ground in Bavaria, Germany, in the pages and pages of official 15th Air Force documents,” Mathes continued. “We know that Tech. Sgt. William Luster Leukering, a southern Illinois farmer’s son, performed an extraordinarily courageous, selfless act of valor in an attempt to save his precious crew mate.”
Mathes quoted John 15:13 — “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
“This chapter and verse is William Leukering’s legacy,” he concluded.
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State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) also spoke at Thursday’s service. Calling Leukering “a man of exceptional courage, dedication and sacrifice,” Windhorst said “his return is a testament to the enduring promise that our nation will never forget its heroes. It is a reminder of the courage and sacrifice that defines our greatest generation.”
Windhorst noted that while records vary, between 1,500 and 2,300 Massac Countians were inducted or enlisted in World War II. Of those, at least 57 would not return home alive. They, “through a love of country or a sense of duty, gave of themselves for the future of our country.
Officers with the U.S. Army carry the remains of United States Army Air Corps Tech. Sgt. William Luster Leukering to his gravesite at Round Springs Cemetery, just outside of Metropolis on Thursday, July 18.
“They would not get to enjoy the blessings of liberty for which they fought and died. They would live on only in the memories of their loved ones and with the eternal gratitude of a nation made stronger by their sacrifice,” he said.
However, Windhorst noted, due to their legacy and sacrifice, “we remember that freedom has a cost. It is not cheap. It has been paid for with the blood, sweat and toil of those who have served our country. It has been hard won and should not be easily given away. We dedicate ourselves to defend the values that Luster died protecting: liberty and justice, freedom and equality.”
Frank Forthman, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, was the last to address those present honoring Leukering.
“I believe it is very important for us to forever be grateful and thankful for the greatest generation who gave their lives selflessly to defend our nation and the freedom not only of our nation but of the world,” he said.
Forthman noted that those who fought in World War II knew “what was waiting for them, yet, they went. If we don’t tell their story and share their sacrifices, their story and sacrifices will be forgotten and taken for granted.
“We’ve gathered today to lay to rest these remains, to welcome back a true hero. … I would pray with all of my heart that William Luster Leukering knows that we are grateful and thankful for his sacrifice, and those who went down with him,” Forthman continued. “We are thankful for the families that lose their loved ones and friends, for the sacrifices they made. We are reminded today that because of those who came before us and of those who made this gathering today possible, we live in a nation that is still free. I thank God for Tech. Sgt. Leukering’s sacrifice.”
Skahan’s son, Patrick, read his father’s speech. Skahan noted that while he never knew Leukering and his mother didn’t speak often of him, “my hero has always been Luster.”
Kevin Skahan, the nephew of United States Army Air Corps Tech. Sgt. William Luster Leukering, is presented the United States flag on behalf of a grateful nation during his uncle’s graveside service on Thursday, July 18, 80 years to the day he was killed in action.
“I found it unimaginable to guess what it felt like climbing into a B-17 bomber for a mission knowing you had less than a 50-50 chance of returning,” he said. “I’m sure Luster was counting on returning to the States after the Memmingen mission, just not 80 years afterward. I’ve never forgotten my uncle, and I’m glad the U.S. government hasn’t either.”
Skahan thanked the numerous organizations that took part in bringing Leukering back to Illinois on Friday, July 12, and to those on Thursday who returned him to his homeland. Those included members of Rolling Thunder Inc., Kentucky Patriot Guard Riders, the Metropolis Police Department, the Metropolis Fire Department, Massac County Sheriff’s Office, Massac County Fire District, Massac County EMA, Metropolis American Legion Post 306, Ladies Auxiliary of Metropolis American Legion Post 306, VFW, DAR and The Flagman’s Mission Continues.
Also among those attending were Cindy Ulrich and her niece, Kim Horn, both of Miami, Oklahoma. Ulrich’s father was Dick Robinson, who flew in the Griffin aircraft in the 815th Bomb Squad, which was two squads ahead of Leukering’s on that July 1944 day. Robinson was one plane ahead of the 14 shot down that day.
“My first thoughts were there would only be a few people here to honor my uncle,” Skahan said as he addressed the almost 200 present, including 25 of Leukering’s nephews, great-nephews and cousins who came in from eight states. “I am surprised at the attention this has created here.”