American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
Col. William F. Ioris, US Air Force, grew up in the Bronx, NY; he enlisted in the US Army in
February 1942 and joined the Infantry. Soon after he qualified on exams to be an air cadet and
trained to be a bombardier/ navigator. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of the Army on
February 18, 1943.
Col. Ioris's proficiency was recognized and he was placed in the category of "Distinguished
Bombardiers" who would serve as trainers which he did for two years. Then he was assigned to a
B-17 "Flying Fortress" for six months of training before anticipated deployment to Europe. Before
he could be sent overseas, the best crews were taken off the B-17s and Bill was assigned to fly the
new B-29s.
While training on the B29s in New Mexico in May'45, they were told not to fly over adjacent territory
in White Sands. One day they were astounded by the force of a nearby explosion, again they were
told not to go near the source of the explosion. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in
August, they understood what they had witnessed.
Col. Ioris served nine years active duty, then continued in the "Ready Reserves" for another 26
years for a total of 35 years total service. He accumulated 1,100 flying hours. In the reserves he
served one weekend a month and one month per year. His last military assignment was with an
intelligence unit. He retired from military service on July 2, 1977. He earned nine Air Force
decorations including: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation, Air Force Outstanding
Unit (First War Time Information Squadron), American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Air
Force Longevity Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve medal with two oak Leaf Clusters.
Following the end of his full-time military duties, Col. Ioris worked in Law Enforcement, first as a New
York State Trooper, then with the New York City police force. He retired from the NYPD as a Lt,
with 20 years service.
Additionally Bill worked or 15 years on security at the Clairol Bristol-Myers manufacturing and
research plant in Stamford, CT. He even was hired by the government of Indonesia to help set up
a security system at a steel plant in that country.
Bill is the Father of four grown children, Bill, Brenda, Robert, and Elaine. He is a resident of
Pelham.
More Contact Joe Hall at 914-490-4217
February 1942 and joined the Infantry. Soon after he qualified on exams to be an air cadet and
trained to be a bombardier/ navigator. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of the Army on
February 18, 1943.
Col. Ioris's proficiency was recognized and he was placed in the category of "Distinguished
Bombardiers" who would serve as trainers which he did for two years. Then he was assigned to a
B-17 "Flying Fortress" for six months of training before anticipated deployment to Europe. Before
he could be sent overseas, the best crews were taken off the B-17s and Bill was assigned to fly the
new B-29s.
While training on the B29s in New Mexico in May'45, they were told not to fly over adjacent territory
in White Sands. One day they were astounded by the force of a nearby explosion, again they were
told not to go near the source of the explosion. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in
August, they understood what they had witnessed.
Col. Ioris served nine years active duty, then continued in the "Ready Reserves" for another 26
years for a total of 35 years total service. He accumulated 1,100 flying hours. In the reserves he
served one weekend a month and one month per year. His last military assignment was with an
intelligence unit. He retired from military service on July 2, 1977. He earned nine Air Force
decorations including: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation, Air Force Outstanding
Unit (First War Time Information Squadron), American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Air
Force Longevity Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve medal with two oak Leaf Clusters.
Following the end of his full-time military duties, Col. Ioris worked in Law Enforcement, first as a New
York State Trooper, then with the New York City police force. He retired from the NYPD as a Lt,
with 20 years service.
Additionally Bill worked or 15 years on security at the Clairol Bristol-Myers manufacturing and
research plant in Stamford, CT. He even was hired by the government of Indonesia to help set up
a security system at a steel plant in that country.
Bill is the Father of four grown children, Bill, Brenda, Robert, and Elaine. He is a resident of
Pelham.
More Contact Joe Hall at 914-490-4217
| 2008 Pelham, NY Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall Col. William F. Ioris, US Air Force (Retired) |