World War II Honoree

William C. Gallipeau

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Geneva, New York

Honored By

Susan J. Moran

Relationship

Niece

Inducted on 28 January 1943 at Rochester, New York and entered active service on 4 February 1943. After completing Basic Training he went to Paratrooper School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to Company F of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division, completing additional training as a rifleman. He departed 8 May 1944 from Pittsburgh, California on the SS Sea Pike, landing in Oro Bay, New Guinea on 28 May 1944 where with the 511th he completed intensive training in airborne and jungle warfare until November 1944 to prepare for the invasion of the Philippine Islands. In February 1945 he participated in the 511th’s jump on Tagaytay Ridge, Luzon thereafter engaging in multiple battles throughout Luzon. In addition, he fought in the following battles and campaigns: the Bismarck-Archipelago, New Guinea and the Southern Philippine Islands. He departed Luzon in August 1945 with the 511th Regiment, flying to Okinawa and then on to Atsugi Airbase to occupy Yokohama and guard the docks where the peace delegation would depart to sign the armistice on the USS Missouri. During his service he was promoted to Sergeant. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star and the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal. He returned to the U.S. in December 1945 and was honorably discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey in January 1946.