World War II Honoree

William D. 'Bill' Haithcock, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Lawton, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED NAVAL SERVICE IN 1942. SERVED AS A 'FROGMAN' WITH UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAM UDT-1 AND LATER WITH UDT-4. THE FIRST TEAMS WERE ORGANIZED IN EARLY 1943 WITH THE FIRST CLASS OF UDT-1 GRADUATING FROM THE NAVY'S UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAM SCHOOL AT FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA JULY 1943. HIS TEAM OF 86 MEN WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR SURVEYING AND CLEARING OBSTRUCTIONS, OBSTACLES AND MINES FROM ASSAULT BEACHES AND OFFSHORE WATERS. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.