World War II Honoree

William Thomas Henderson, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Greenville, South Carolina

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

HE WAS CALLED INTO ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE ARMY ON FEBRUARY 18, 1942. WHEN THE 81ST DIVISION WAS REACTIVATED IN JUNE, 1942 AT CAMP RUCKER, ALABAMA, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO COMPANY B OF THE 322ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM. THE REGIMENT UNDERWENT EXTENSIVE DESERT TRAINING AT CAMP HORN IN ARIZONA AND AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING AT CAMPS SAN LUIS OBISPO AND BEALE IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE DEPARTING FROM CAMP STONEMAN, CALIFORNIA IN JUNE, 1944 FOR FURTHER AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING IN HAWAII. THE 322ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM FIRST ENGAGED THE ENEMY ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1944 WHEN IT LANDED ON ANGUAR ISLAND IN THE PALAU GROUP. THEY RAPIDLY CROSSED THE ISLAND, CUTTING IT IN HALF AND BEGAN MOPPING-UP OPERATIONS ON SEPTEMBER 20. DURING THIS OFFENSIVE, HE WAS WOUNDED IN COMBAT, FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART. RESISTANCE ENDED IN THE PALAU ISLANDS ON NOVEMBER 22, AND BY JANUARY 1, 1945 THE DIVISION HAD SEIZED PULO ISLAND, KYANGEL ATOLL, AND PAIS ISLAND. AFTER REHABILITATION AND TRAINING IN NEW CALEDONIA, THE 81ST DIVISION ARRIVED IN LEYTE ON MAY 17, 1945. IT PERFORMED MOPPING-UP OPERATIONS IN JULY AND AUGUST, AND MOVED TO JAPAN ON SEPTEMBER 18 WHERE IT ENGAGED IN OCCUPATIONAL DUTIES UNTIL DEACTIVATED. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN DECEMBER, 1945, HAVING EARNED THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS CAMPAIGN MEDALS.