MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center
Roll of Honor
Neely, William D., III
William D. Neely, III graduated from the civilian pilot training program based at STC and served in North Africa flying the P-38 “Lightening.” He earned a citation from General James Doolitte for heroism while escorting B-17s over Bo Rizzo, Sicily, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. While training new pilots in Libya during May 1943, Neely’s P-38 went into an unrecoverable dive and crashed.
William D Neely is buried or memorialized at Plot B Row 8 Grave 1, North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.
See a service overview at https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=110724