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1st Lt William C. Mc Cully graduated from Vero Beach High school in 1937 and was employed at Piggly Wiggly market.

He joined the Regular Army in October 1940 and was sent overseas in 1942, landing in the European Theater of Operations, on Christmas day of that year and first participated in the North African and Sicilian campaign.
Lt Mc Cully was reported wounded in action on 31 July 31 1944 by shrapnel in France. He was hospitalized in England and for this wound he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal a first time.

On 20 October 1944, he acted as a forward observer during an attack for three hours despite the known risk to his person. He only pulled out when ordered to and was then hit and killed. For this action, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. The citation reads in part: "For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. On Oct. 20, 1944, in Europe, Lt. Mc Cully led his tank platoon to a position well in advance of his infantry mounting an attack on an enemy-held town. For more than three hours, he acted as forward observer for artillery fire which prevented enemy elements from counterattacking in force. He remained in this position, exposed to a hail of fire from enemy artillery and anti-tank guns, well knowing his vehicle must sooner or later be hit and destroyed. He would not withdraw until ordered to do so, and while this order was being given, his tank was hit and Lt. Mc Cully was killed"

The Mc Cully Barracks in Wackernheim, Germany, a U.S. Army Installation, is named after him.