World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
William O. Wooldridge
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Crosscut, Texas
Honored By
A Grateful American
SERVED WITH THE 1ST 'BIG RED ONE' INFANTRY DIVISION IN NORTH AFRICA, SICILY AND NORMANDY D-DAY LANDINGS ON JUNE 6, 1944. IN OCTOBER 1944 THEN A PRIVATE HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION IN THE BATTLE OF THE FORTRESS CITY OF AACHEN, GERMANY. RECIPIENT OF THE SILVER STAR. HE SUFFERED SHRAPNEL WOUNDS DURING THIS FIGHT AND WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. STILL BANDAGED, HE WAS BACK IN THE LINES FOR COMBAT IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE IN DECEMBER 1944. AGAIN IN THE THICK OF THE FIGHTING, THEN A STAFF SERGEANT, HE RECEIVED A SECOND SILVER STAR MEDAL FOR HIS VALOR UNDER FIRE.