Roanoke lost one of its most decorated World War II veterans last weekend. Former fighter pilot William Overstreet Jr., famous for flying beneath the arches of the Eiffel Tower while chasing a German aircraft during the war, died Sunday afternoon. He was 92.Overstreet was awarded hundreds of medals for his service in the 357th squadron of the U.S. Army Air Forces, according to his obituary for Oakey’s Funeral Home. One of his greatest honors was receiving France’s Legion of Honor by the French ambassador to the U.S. in 2009 at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.At the ceremony, the French ambassador said Overstreet led “some of the most heroic actions that we have ever heard of” during the liberation of France in the Second World War.Overstreet’s most famous flight came while in solo pursuit of a German Messerschmitt Bf 109G flying into Nazi-occupied Paris. He maneuvered his plane beneath the arches of the Eiffel Tower, re-igniting the spirit of the French Resistance troops on the ground.One of those French Resistance fighters was the father of Bernard Marie. A French dignitary who has hosted D-Day events every year since 1984, Marie said he met Overstreet in 1994. He knew Overstreet was well-known for his flight underneath the Eiffel Tower but didn’t understand the true importance of Overstreet’s flight until he spoke with his father.“My father began shouting out me — ‘I have to meet this man,’ ” Marie said.Members of the French Resistance had seen his flight, and it inspired them, including Marie’s father, he said.“This guy has done even more than what people are thinking,” Marie said. “He lifted the spirit of the French.”Marie was born into Nazi-occupied France and remembers the Allied troops coming to his home to liberate his family, forever giving him an appreciation for American WWII veterans. It led to a friendship with Overstreet as soon as they met.“He was a countryman and a wonderful man,” Marie said. “He was very humble. In a way he was almost embarrassed” of the attention his awards brought him.After shyly accepting the Legion of Honor at the age of 88, Overstreet said, “If I said, ‘Thank you,’ it wouldn’t be enough,” but then added, “What more than ‘thank you’ do you need?”According to his obituary, Overstreet returned from war and married Nita Brackens of Covington, who preceded him in death. He worked as an accountant until retiring when he was 65 years old and then worked with numerous charities and veterans groups. Marie said even in his latest years of life, Overstreet still kept his wits and attitude. One night, when Overstreet was about 90 years old, Marie asked if he could give Overstreet a ride home. Overstreet, he said, looked back at him insulted and asked, “Did you forget what I am able to do?”Memorial services for Overstreet will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, according to Oakey’s, with interment at 1 p.m. Saturday at Evergreen Burial Park. His obituary states that his family requests those attending the memorial service consider wearing something either or both red and yellow, his squadron’s colors, and contributions be sent to the Roanoke Salvation Army.
Hmm did General Chuck Yeager belong to this squadron also? If so don't think but a couple left of the 357th fighter pilots.
