World War II Honoree

William Thomas Foster

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chesnee, South Carolina

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

IN FEBRUARY OF 1942, HE REPORTED TO FORT MCCLELLAN FOR ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY AND IN A FEW MONTHS WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 36TH INFANTRY DIVISION AT CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA. AFTER A SUMMER OF TRAINING ON MANEUVERS IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE DIVISION WAS SENT TO CAMP EDWARDS ON CAPE COD. FROM THERE THEY SHIPPED OVERSEAS, LANDING IN NORTH AFRICA ON APRIL 13, 1943. THEY HAD BEEN THERE ONLY A SHORT TIME WHEN HE WAS ASSIGNED TO ACCOMPANY 300 ITALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR BACK TO THE STATES. BY THE TIME HE GOT BACK TO HIS OUTFIT IN NORTH AFRICA, THEY WERE LOADING FOR THE INVASION OF ITALY. ON THE 9TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1943, HE BECAME PART OF THE 2ND OR 3RD WAVE TO GO OVER THE SIDE OF THE SHIP ON CARGO NETS IN THE BAY OF SALERNO AND ATTACK THE GERMANS FROM PAESTUM ON TO SALERNO AND UP TO MT. LUNGO. THERE HE WAS WOUNDED WITH SHRAPNEL IN THE LEFT ARM AND RIGHT LEG. THAT STARTED A LONG HOMEWARD BOUND PROCESS FROM ONE HOSPITAL TO ANOTHER, FINALLY ENDING AT OLIVER GENERAL HOSPITAL IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. ON DISCHARGE FROM OLIVER GENERAL, HE HAD SIX MONTHS TEMPORARY DUTY AT CAMP GORDON BEFORE BEING RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A 1ST LIEUTENANT IN 1945. HE EARNED A PURPLE HEART AND SEVERAL CAMPAIGN MEDALS.