World War II Honoree

William Purcell, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

WHEN WWII STARTED HE LEFT CORNELL UNIVERSITY AND ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AND SERVED IN FRANCE AS A JEEP DRIVER. IN NOVEMBER OF 1944 HE DROVE INTO AN ENEMY ATTACK WHILE TRYING TO PICK UP WOUNDED SOLDIERS. HE YELLED 'DON’T SHOOT', IN GERMAN AND POINTED TO THE RED CROSS ON THE JEEP. SURPRISINGLY THE GERMANS BACKED OFF. THE NEXT MORNING HIS UNIT WAS CAPTURED. ON NOVEMBER 30, 1944 HE WAS LISTED MISSING IN ACTION. WAS IMPRISONED UNTIL APRIL 1945.