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name
YEPSEN, William Grundtvig - Date of
birth
22 November 1912 -
Age
32 - Place of
birth
New York, New York -
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-1054883 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
HQ Company,
1st Battalion,
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
20 December 1944 - Place of
death
Chèneu, about 3 miles northeast of Rahier, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 8 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George W. Yepsen (father)
Marie Yepsen (mother)
Margaret Yepsen (sister)
Ellen Yepsen (sister)
More information
2nd Lt William G. Yepsen enlisted in New York City, New York on 24 October 1942.He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for actions on 20 December 1944. The citation stated: When an enemy tank moved forward, pouring cannon fire into his Platoon strong points, Lieutenant Yepsen crawled to an exposed position with a machine gun. Although enemy automatic weapons fire came within six inches of him, Lieutenant Yepsen returned the fire and eliminated a machine gun position before turning his attention to the tank. Firing prolonged bursts of AP and Tracer ammunition at the driver's elite, he caused the enemy tank to remain buttoned up, hampering its efficiency. He held this exposed position and continued to harass the tank until mortally wounded by direct cannon fire. The courage, aggressiveness, and intrepid leadership displayed by Lieutenant Yepsen were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.
Source of information: Tjarco Schuurman, Peter Schouteten, WW2-Airborne.us, NARA - WWII Enlistment Record, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men
Photo source: Peter Schouteten