World War II Honoree

William H. Henkel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Central Islip, New York

Honored By

Michael McTiernan

He enlisted March 23, 1944. After his basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, he served in the European Theatre of Operations with Company F, 18th Infantry Regiment of the First Division. As Platoon Sergeant he led over 27 patrols in five day periods in the Huertgen Forest and acted as interpreter and prisoner interrogator. He captured 275 prisoners outside of the Hassenfeld area. He was awarded the following Battle Stars: Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France and Rhineland. He received the Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster for wounds incurred in the Huertgen Forest and in the Rhineland, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Expert Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star. he was discharged on November 10, 1945, at Fort Dix, New Jersey.