World War II Honoree

William A. Geppert, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY DURING WWII WHEN HE JOINED THE U.S. ARMY IN 1943. WHILE SETTING UP AN OUTPOST IN NORTHERN FRANCE IN AUGUST OF 1944, HIS UNIT CAME UNDER HEAVY FIRE. HE WAS HELPING THE WOUNDED TO SAFETY WHEN HE WAS SHOT IN THE SHOULDER AND THIGH. HE WAS TREATED AT A FIELD HOSPITAL AND THEN IN A HOSPITAL IN ENGLAND AND LATER IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO VALLEY FORGE GENERAL HOSPITAL IN PENNSYLVANIA. HIS FEMUR HAD BEEN SHATTERED AND AFTER 44 MONTHS OF RECUPERATION AND THERAPY, MUCH OF IT SPENT WITH HIS LEG IN TRACTION, HE WAS RELEASED. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN 1948 WITH A PURPLE HEART AND A BRONZE STAR.