World War II Honoree

William Henry Frazier, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Dothan, Alabama

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

HE WAS CALLED INTO ACTIVE DUTY IN 1941, HAD EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN RADAR IN THE STATES, AND SHIPPED OUT TO EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA, LANDING IN SICILY IN JULY, 1943. WHEN THE 582 SIGNAL AW BATTALION, 64TH FIGHTER WING OF THE XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND WAS ACTIVATED AT FRATTAMAGGIORE, ITALY ON JANUARY 15, 1944, HE COMMANDED THE LIGHTWEIGHT RADAR REPORTING COMPANY. IN JUNE HE LEFT WITH HIS UNIT AND ARRIVED AT ORBETELLO, ITALY ON THE 19TH. FROM THENCE VIA THE SANTA MARIA AIR FIELD, THEY ARRIVED AT ST. TROPEZ, FRANCE ON SEPTEMBER 9. SUBSEQUENT RELOCATIONS INCLUDED ROSERIES AUX SALINES, FRANCE IN NOVEMBER; NANCY, FRANCE IN JANUARY, 1945, EDENKOBEN, GERMANY IN APRIL; AND ON TO SWABITSCH HALL, GERMANY THAT SAME MONTH. HE RECEIVED A FIELD PROMOTION TO MAJOR THAT SUMMER, AND LEFT MARSEILLE IN SEPTEMBER FOR RETURN TO THE STATES. HE EARNED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL FOR AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, AND EUROPE, AND SEVERAL OTHERS.