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name
HELMS, William Garon - Date of
birth
31 August 1917 -
Age
27 -
Place of birth
Fayette County, Georgia -
Hometown
Pope, Wilcox County, Georgia -
Ethnicity
White
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34012063 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
121st Infantry Regiment,
8th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
19 January 1945 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 22 | 19 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John H. Helms (father)
Cora M. (Lassiter) Helms (mother)
Daniel W. Helms (brother)
Floyd J. Helms (brother)
Rosa E. Helms (sister)
Tessie Helms (sister)
Joseph C. Helms (brother)
More information
S/Sgt William G. Helms was a farmhand before he joined the Regular Army at Fort McPherson, Georgia on 22 January 1941.He was awarded with the Silver Star Medal for his action on 5 September 1944 during the battle for Brest, France. The citation cited: Single handedly he destroyed two enemy machineguns which had held up the advance of his company. He then noticed a German rifle protrading from a foxhole. Advancing through heavy enemy artillery mortar and small arms fire. He moved forward and pulled the rifle from the hands of the German soldier.
Through his courageous motions his company was able to advance and attain its objective, taking 48 german prisoners
On 11 January 1945, during the advance from the 121st Infantry Regiment through the Hürtgen Forrest toward Schmidt, Germany he was reported as missing in action. He was taken prisoner later died as a POW camp on 19 January 1945.
Source of information: Leo Minne, www.abmc.gov, www.ancestry.com, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Laura S.