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name
FOLEY, William Edward - Date of
birth
2 October 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Mill River, Berkshire County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11099052 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
311th Infantry Regiment,
78th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
31 January 1945 - Place of
death
Kesternich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 15 | 22 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Mary Foley (mother)
James J. Foley (brother)
Grace Foley (sister)
Edward J. Foley (brother)
More information
Pfc William E. Foley graduated from Holy Rosary High School and was employed by the B&A Railroad Company before entering the service.He enlisted in Springfield, Massachusetts on 15 October 1942. He was sent overseas in October 1944.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for his actions on the day of his death. The citation cited: For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy on 31 Janaury 1945 In the vicinity of Kesternich, Germany. To establish contact between his platoon and the rest of the company, Pfc Foley volunteered to cross 75 yards of open ground that was receiving intense concentration of automatic and small arms fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety he repeatedly crossed the open ground during the attack, delivering vital messages of great importance to the coordinate operations of his company. During a return trip he was fatally wounded.
His two brothers also served during the war.
Source of information: André Koch, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / 1930 Census, www.findagrave.com - James L. Cooper, Springfield Republican - 15 February 1945
Photo Source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, The Holyoke Daily Transcript and the Holyoke Transcript - 14 February 1945