Edgar “Billy” William Nevois
Edgar “Billy” William Nevois was born 10-Apr 1923 in Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County Illinois. His parents were Edgar James Nevois (1894-1974) and Augusta Elizabeth Blow (1895-1974). He had three brothers: Elmer (1922-1989), James (1928-2013) and Robert (1935-2008) and four sisters: Irene (1923-1991), Mary (1929-2016), Mabel and Virginia (1926-2012).
Edgar entered the Army on 28-Jan 1943 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. His Service Number was 37415116. His enlistment record states he had three years of high school and was single.
According to the 1940 Federal Census, Edgar was living with his parents in Prairie Du Rocher, Randolph, Illinois. He had completed two years of high school.
Before entering the Army, Edgar was living in St. Louis and working at the United States Cartridge Company. The U.S. Cartridge Company operated the massive St. Louis Ordnance Plant (later St. Louis Army Ammunition Plant) at 4800 Goodfellow Blvd in St. Louis, Missouri.
In late 1942, Army Air Forces (AAF) basic training was rapidly expanding, with key, 6-week indoctrination centers operating at Keesler Field (Mississippi), Sheppard Field (Texas), Jefferson Barracks (Missouri), St. Petersburg (Florida), Atlantic City (New Jersey), and Greensboro (North Carolina). It is likely Edgar began his basic training at Jefferson Barracks in January 1943. Jefferson Barracks served as a major replacement training center.
In the fall of 1944, Edgar Nevois was assigned to the 613th Bombardment Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force in the European Theater during World War II. The squadron was stationed at RAF Deenethorpe (AAF-128) in Northamptonshire, England, from 4-Nov 1943 until June 1945.
Edgar joined the squadron as a replacement crew member. In 1943, the air crew mortality rate in Europe was exceptionally high, particularly for the U.S. Eighth Air Force, where only about 25% of bomber crews completed their 25-mission tour. The remaining 75% were killed, captured, or wounded. Before long-range fighter escorts were common, bomber crewmen had roughly a 15% to 25% chance of finishing their 25-mission tour without becoming a casualty (killed, POW, or wounded).
The 613th Bombardment Squadron arrived in England in late October to early November 1943. The ground echelon left the U.S. on 19-Oct 1943, sailing on the RMS Queen Mary on 27-Oct 1943 and disembarked at Greenock, Scotland, on 3-Nov 1943. The air echelon flew their B-17s to England via the northern route (Newfoundland, Iceland, Scotland) in late October 1943. The squadron’s first combat mission was against Bremen, Germany, on 26-Nov 1943.
Edgar was part of a crew commanded by 1st Lieutenant Augustus J. Nelson. It is believed that his first mission was on 3-Aug 1944. Mission records are by the pilot/aircraft commander. 1st Lieutenant Augustus J. Nelson and his crew – including Edgar Nevois – flew 15 missions.
On 7-October 1944, Edgar Nevois was the co-pilot of a B-17G “Flying Fortress” bomber nicknamed “Son of a Blitz.” It was the second time that Nelson/Nevois flew the Son of a Blitz a Boeing B-17 #42-31081. Their mission was to bomb a Synthetic Oil Plant in Politz Germany. The mission commander was Lt. Col. W. T. Seawell.
The Son of a Blitz was shot down by flak over Zwickau.
For more of his story, click on the pdf below.
