Uw clemson biography of william

Skip Bomber

Written by: Kelly Durham

William Robinson Chapman came to Clemson with the intention of becoming a doctor. A pre-med major from Greenville, Chapman was the only child of Mr.

and Mrs. Hugh Chapman and a graduate of Greenville High School. During his two years on campus, Chapman participated in Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity. At the end of his sophomore year, Chapman joined most of Clemson’s cadets in bidding the campus “goodbye” for the duration of the war.

Chapman entered the Army Air Force in September 1943.

Mahomes draft class

He trained as an air crewman and became a radio operator. After completing his training in the States, Chapman shipped out for the Pacific Theater.

By 1944, the Allies had begun to push the Japanese back toward their home islands.

Great battles had already been won—and more were to come.

Chapman was assigned to the 405^th