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Personal info

Full name
SMITH, William Earl
Date of birth
17 December 1915
Age
29
Place of birth
Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa
Hometown
Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
16061737
Rank
Sergeant
Function
unknown
Unit
HQ Company,
17th Tank Battalion,
7th Armored Division
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 December 1944
Place of death
Samree, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
E 7 32

Immediate family

Members
James E. Smith (father)
William E. Smith (stepfather)
Mary O. (Hartgrave) Smith (mother)
Velma Smith (sister)
Florence E. Smith (sister)
Eveline B. Smith (sister)
Richard M. Smith (half brother)
Charles R. Smith (half brother)

More information

Sgt William E. Smith worked at Pontiac Motor Company before he enlisted on 2 February 1942 and went overseas in June 1944.

His brother Richard also lost his life in WWII and is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery, France.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Susan Linton - Pontiac Weekly Press - 1 March 1945, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.wwiimemorial.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Susan Linton - Pontiac Weekly Press - 1 March 1945