Norwood’s Meat Cutter Who Became a Mission Commander Over Europe
Before he was Major Lee of the Eighth Air Force, he was simply “Billy the Butcher” on Washington Street—known for his steady hands, sharp eye, and quiet humor behind the counter at Norwood’s corner meat shop.
But when war came calling, William “Billy” Lee traded his apron for a flight jacket, and his cleaver for a clipboard of bombing coordinates. His journey from local tradesman to decorated airman is one of Norwood’s most remarkable wartime transformations.
🥩 The Butcher of Norwood
Born in 1912, William Lee grew up in a working-class family on Day Street. By his early twenties, he was a skilled meat cutter, employed at a local grocer where he earned a reputation for precision and reliability. Customers trusted him not just for the quality of his cuts, but for his calm demeanor and sense of duty.
When the United States entered World War II, Lee was 29—older than most recruits. But he enlisted without hesitation, driven by a sense of responsibility and patriotism. “I figured if I could handle a bone saw and a rush of customers, I could handle a bomber crew,” he later joked.
✈️ Training for the Skies
Lee entered officer training and quickly distinguished himself for his organizational skills and leadership. He was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, which operated out of England and was responsible for strategic bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe.
He trained on the B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engine heavy bomber known for its durability and defensive firepower. Lee’s role evolved from navigator to mission commander, overseeing flight plans, crew coordination, and target execution.
“You had to know every man’s strength, every machine’s weakness,” Lee said. “There was no room for guesswork.”
🎯 Missions Over Europe
Between 1943 and 1945, Major Lee flew over 30 combat missions, including raids over Berlin, Hamburg, and the Ruhr Valley. His crew nicknamed their B-17 “The Flying Cleaver”—a nod to Lee’s pre-war profession and their shared belief in cutting through enemy defenses with precision.
Lee’s leadership was marked by calm under fire. On one mission over Leipzig, his aircraft took heavy flak and lost two engines. Rather than panic, Lee rerouted the flight path, coordinated with escort fighters, and brought the crew home safely.
His tactical decisions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with multiple oak leaf clusters.
🧭 From Combat to Community
After the war, Major Lee returned to Norwood and resumed his work as a butcher—but now with a new sense of purpose. He became active in veterans’ organizations, mentored young tradesmen, and spoke at local schools about the importance of discipline, teamwork, and civic duty.
He rarely spoke of his medals, preferring to highlight the contributions of his crew. “I was just the guy with the map,” he’d say. “They were the ones who made it fly.”
Lee passed away in 1987, but his story remains a cornerstone of Norwood’s wartime legacy—a reminder that heroism can rise from the most ordinary places.
📋 Sidebar: Major Lee’s Mission Essentials
- B-17 Flying Fortress
- Crew of 10: pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, engineer, radio operator, and gunners
- Altitude: 25,000 feet
- Speed: 150–180 mph
- Payload: Up to 4,800 lbs of bombs
- Defensive armament: 13 .50 caliber machine guns
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)
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