World War II Honoree

William J. Hendricks

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Honored By

Jacqueline J. Hendricks Costello

Relationship

Daughter

BILL WAS IN THE 9TH ARMY AIR FORCE, 926TH SIGNAL BATTALION, 8TH THEN 9TH FIGHTER COMMAND. BASIC TRAINING TOOK PLACE IN FORT MCCLELLAN AND THEN TO NEW ORLEANS FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING. HE DRILLED IN ENGLAND FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS. HE LANDED IN NORMANDY IN JUNE 1944. HE ENCAMPED AT VERSAILLES PARK. HE ARRIVED IN VERVIERS, BELGIUM IN SEPTEMBER OF 1944 IN ORDER TO SET UP A POST OFFICE AND COMMUNICATION CENTER. HE ADVANCED TO GERMANY AFTER THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HIS BATTALION WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO AID IN THE LIBERATION OF BUCHENWALD CONCENTRATION CAMP. HE RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON THE LIBERTY SHIP THE SS PETER MINUET.