World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
William L. Pilson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Franklin County, Illinois
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. SERVED IN EUROPE WITH THE 315TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 79TH INFANTRY ‘THE CROSS OF LORRAINE’ DIVISION ATTACHED TO THE UNITED STATES 7TH ARMY. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1944 DURING THE BATTLE OF EMBERMÉNIL, FRANCE, ARDENNES-ALSACE CAMPAIGN AND WAS BURIED IN A TEMPORARY BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY AT LUYNES, FRANCE. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE TRANSFERRED, WITH INTERMENT IN THE EPINAL AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT EPINAL (VOSGES), FRANCE. DECORATION AND CITATION: PURPLE HEART WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER. THE SOLDIER WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.