World War II Honoree

William W. Williamson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Marietta, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On June 8, 1943, he entered the United States Army at Akron, Ohio, deployed to the European Theater of Operations after the completion of his combat infantry training. He served with the 180th Infantry Regiment a subordinate unit of the 45th ‘Thunderbird’ Division attached to the U.S. Seventh Army. His division participated in the invasion of Southern France against the German armed forces (Battle Dates: August 15-September 14, 1944) Code Name: Operation Dragon. Killed in Action Wednesday, August 16, 1944 and buried in the Draguignan battlefield cemetery in Saint Raphael, France. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, his remains were transferred to the Rhone American Cemetery located at Draguignan (Var), France. This Soldier, an American Patriot, awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.