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name
WILLIAMSON, Joseph Henry - Date of
birth
17 July 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Long Island City, Queens County, New York -
Hometown
Hartford, Columbia County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32747376 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
B Company,
60th Engineer Combat Battalion,
35th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 October 1944 - Place of
death
Ajoncourt, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 24 | 67 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Robert Williamson (father)
Mary A. (McManus) Williamson (mother)
Robert J. Williamson (brother)
Alfred H. Williamson (brother)
Agnes F. Williamson (sister)
Jane V. Williamson (sister)
Mary R. Williamson (sister)
More information
Pfc Joseph H. Williamson attended high school for two years and was employed at United Aircraft before he enlisted in Albany, New York on 8 February 1943.On the night of 10 October 1944, B Company suffered the loss of 47 men in an explosion of anti-tank mines at Ajoncourt, France. The third and elements of the first platoon were engaged in a night mine laying operation just north of the town. The squad trucks loaded with mines were parked at a point just south of the town and the mines were being fused and unloaded from the trucks and carried to the mine field. At approximately 2300, a terrific explosion from the leading truck which was loaded with mines caused a sympathetic detonation of a nearby truck load of mines and mines that were stacked on the ground nearby. Approximately 1,500 mines in all exploded. The entire area immediately became an inferno of exploding mines, small arms ammunition and burning vehicles.
Pfc Joseph H. Williamson was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Andilly, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Williamson Family Tree, After Action Report 35th Infantry Division
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Ev C