World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
William J. 'Bill' Chapman, Sr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Newberry, South Carolina
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
SERVED IN THE AMERICAN, AND EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATERS WITH THE 153RD AIRBORNE ANTIAIRCRAFT BATTALION, 13TH AIRBORNE 'GOLDEN UNICORN' DIVISION. STAGED WITH HIS BATTALION AT CAMP SHANKS AT ORANGEBURG, NEW YORK ON JANUARY 20, 1945 AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. DEPARTED THE NEW YORK PORT OF EMBARKATION ON JANUARY 26, 1945 AND ARRIVED IN FRANCE ON FEBRUARY 6, 1945. PARTICIPATED IN THE CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN. HIS UNIT WAS NEVER ENTERED INTO COMBAT AND MISSED THE AIRBORNE ASSAULT EAST OF THE RHINE RIVER BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT AIRLIFT. REMAINED IN FRANCE UNTIL WAR'S END. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.