World War II Honoree

William D. Baumgartner

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Belleville, New Jersey

Honored By

Harry M. Baumgartner

Relationship

Son

SERVED IN GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON'S THIRD ARMY, 35TH INFANTRY, 137TH REGIMENT, COMPANY K. FOUGHT HEROICALLY THROUGHOUT FRANCE, LUXEMBOURG AND BELGIUM, AND HIS UNIT WAS HEAVILY ENGAGED IN THE EFFORT TO RELIEVE BASTOGNE, BELGIUM, DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. IN A BATTLE NEAR BASTOGNE (VILLERS-LA-BON-EAU) ON DECEMBER 30, 1944, HE WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR UNTIL LIBERATION ON APRIL 12, 1945. ENTERED THE POW CAMP WEIGHING 170 POUNDS AND WEIGHED ONLY 90 POUNDS WHEN FREED. THEREAFTER, SPENT CLOSE TO A YEAR IN MILITARY HOSPITALS RECOVERING FROM HIS INJURIES. AWARDED MULTIPLE MEDALS FOR HIS SERVICE, INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART.