World War II Honoree

Willard W. Fader

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Marblehead, Massachusetts

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. On February 21, 1942, he entered the United States Army at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. His division was a member of the vast armada, which participated in the invasion of Germany’s Fortress Europe, D-Day, June 6, 1944, Code Name: Operation Overlord. He served with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment a subordinate unit of the 29th Infantry ‘Blue and Gray’ Division attached to the U.S. First Army. His regiment went ashore on Omaha Beach, Battle of Normandy with the 1st wave of troops at 0630 hours, the assault on the German Army defenses. Killed in Action on the first day of the invasion and buried in the Omaha Battlefield Cemetery in Normandy, France. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, they transferred his remains to the Normandy American Cemetery located at Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Decorations and Citations: Recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously. The Bronze Star awarded for Bravery, Act of Merit and Meritorious Service in Combat. This Soldier, an American Patriot, awarded the Purple Heart, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.