Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
STEM, William Estes "Billie" - Date of
birth
3 January 1924 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee -
Hometown
El Monte, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39564723 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
Medical Aidman -
Unit
A Company,
63rd Armored Infantry Battalion,
11th Armored Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 March 1945 - Place of
death
Area Andernach, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 3 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William H. Stem (father)
Olive A. (Estes) Stem mother
Mary Stem (sister)
Martha Stem (sister)
Jean Stem (sister)
Roberta Stem (sister)
More information
Pvt Stern was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation cited: Pvt William E. Stem, 39564723, Medical Detachment, 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division, United States Army. For gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed enemy near Rechrival, Belgium, on 31 December 1944. Pvt Stem, while serving as an aid man with Company A, 63rd Armored Infanry Battalion, was called upon continuously to render medical aid to the wounded. He moved among the wounded affording first aid and assisting in their removal to evacuation vehicles. By his complete devotion to duty and disregard to personal safety, under intense mortar and artillery fire, he rendered aid to the wounded, thereby saving lives which might have been lost. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army."Pfc William E. Stem first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Foy, Belgium.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Bob Heady, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.11tharmoreddivision.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census US / Davis/Fields/Cook/Bray Family Tree / U.S.,
Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil
Photo source: Jac Engels, Peter Lems, Samira Claeys