World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
William Patton Hawley
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Duluth, Minnesota
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Technician 4th Class. Served in the Pacific Theater of Operations assigned to the 172nd Infantry Regiment a subordinate unit of the 43rd Infantry ‘Winged Victory’ Division attached to the U.S. Sixth Army. His division participated in the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, ‘Battle of Luzon’ against the Imperial Japanese armed forces (Battle Dates: January 9-August 15, 1945) Code Name: S-Day. Killed in Action Wednesday, January 17, 1945 during the capture/occupation of Urdaneta, a city on Luzon and buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Santa Barbara #1 Philippine Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were transferred to the American Cemetery located at Fort Bonifacio in Manila, Philippine Islands. Decorations and Awards: Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. This Soldier, an American Patriot awarded the Purple Heart Posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.