Monday, May 30, 2016

Memorial Day: Pfc. E. M. Williams

Pfc. E. M. Williams, 21, was killed in action April 21 in the southwest Pacific area his mother was informed yesterday morning by a telegram from the war department.

Pfc. Williams enlisted in the national guard Sept. 16, 1940, and until Feb. 1, 1942, was at Fort Lewis, where he was active in sports, especially boxing.  He was promoted to private first class at Fort Lewis.

Sent overseas Feb. 1, 1942, he reached Australia two months later and had remained in that area since.

Previous to entering the service, he was employed by the CCC.

2 comments:

MAX Redline said...

I assume that was a close relative. Sad to see that.

T. D. said...

He was a cousin of my dad's. My dad lost two cousins in World War II, and my mom lost one. Kind of special was that the brother of a good friend of my dad was his buddy in the foxhole and was right next to him when he got killed by a sniper. So, we know exactly how he died and that it was immediate death. My dad only learned the details decades later when the topic happened to come up and dad found out Harold and Buddy served together. So, Buddy's immediate family and the larger family never knew.

Buddy was a good boxer. In 1941 out of 83 military contestants in the 6 boxing categories, he won 2nd in the lightweight division.

It makes the sacrifice of our fallen war heroes more meaningful. Buddy was one of many who never got to live beyond young manhood. Thanks for your kind words, Max.