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name
HARWELL, William H "Tass" - Date of
birth
6 August 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Black River, Butler County, Missouri -
Hometown
Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37369920 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
11th Infantry Regiment,
5th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 February 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Ernzen, north of Echternach, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 9 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Cornelius M. Harwell (father)
Nellie H. (Aldridge) Harwell (mother)
Blanche M. (sister)
Bessie L. Harwell (sister)
Alden C. Harwell (brother)
Geraldine H. Harwell (wife)
William H. Harwell (son)
More information
Sgt William H. Harwell attended high school for four years and worked as a bank teller for the State Bank.He enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 30 June 1942.
On one of the photos, Sgt Harwell is kissed by a French girl. This photo from Associated Press was published in the St Louis Globe-Democrat of 1 September 1944 with the following text: It's Sgt William H. Harwell, former Poplar Bluff, Missouri, bank teller, shown being kissed by a French girl when his unit entered Southern France. His wife, Mrs. Tass Harwell, who recognized him when this picture was printed in the globe-Democrat Sunday, says she's thrilled, too. As she was mailing a clipping, the postman handed her a letter from her husband telling her to watch for a photo showing him being "mugged by a French girl." Friends teased her, she admitted, remarking, "he must be shell shocked for holding on to that shovel in his hand." She responded: "I'm as thrilled as can be and we don't care, or at least I don't. It was a most happy thing to happen to me."
Source of information: Leo Minne, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Records, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930/1940 Census / Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. Draft Cards Young Men / Daniels Family Tree, A footsoldier for Patton / Michael C. Bilder James G. Bilder, The 5th Infantry Division in the ETO
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - soilsister, Daily American Republic - 16 March 1945, St Louis Globe-Democrat - 1 September 1944