World War II Honoree

William A. Welch

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Aurora, Ohio

Honored By

An Indebted American

SERVED AS A COXSWAIN. WITH HIS LANDING CRAFT, FERRIED MARINES ASHORE DURING THE INVASION OF BOUGAINVILLE. FORCED ASHORE, JOINED A MARINE ASSAULT ON A JAPANESE PILLBOX, AND COMMANDEERED A BULLDOZER. A SHELL HIT THE BULLDOZER AND THREW HIM OFF AS SHRAPNEL TORE INTO HIS KNEE. HE SPENT A DAY UNDER THE WRECK, PRETENDING TO BE DEAD, UNTIL HE WAS ABLE TO GIMP HIS WAY BACK TO SAFETY. RECIPIENT OF A PURPLE HEART.