Memorial

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1st Lt William A. Kautter graduated from Shamokin Area High School with the class of 1939 and was employed as a loomfixer by the Shamokin Woolen Mills.

He enlisted in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 21 July 1942 and received infantry basic training at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, after which he applied for officers candidate school. Upon his acceptance by the War Department he was sent to the Infantry school at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant in February 1943. Later he was transferred to Camp Swift, Texas where he was promoted to first lieutenant. He left for overseas duty in September 1944.

He was reported wounded in action in November 1944.

A party of eight men were crossing the river. The Roer river was turbulent due to high water and the boat had to be pulled across by means of a rope. The men lost control of the boat and it capsized, drowning three of the party. Lt Kautter was one of the casualites.