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name
RYERSON, William Frederick "Little Captain" - Date of
birth
7 February 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Glens Falls, Warren County, New York -
Hometown
Garden City, Nassau County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-422559 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Company Commander -
Unit
C Company,
20th Armored Infantry Battalion,
10th Armored Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
14 January 1945 - Place of
death
Near Bourcy, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 10 | 33 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William F. Ryerson (father)
Mary S. (Taplin) Ryerson (mother)
Carol E. (Sterling) Ryerson (wife)
Gail F. Ryerson (daughter)
More information
Capt William F. Ryerson graduated from Syracuse University in 1940 and received his masters degree in 1941. He was a member of the R.O.T.C. at the university and was called to active in September 1941.On 14 January 1945, he, along with other men of C Company and paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, attacked a pocket of Germans near the village of Bourcy, Belgium. During the battle a P-47 fighter strafed the area and dropped a bomb near Capt Ryerson and his group of men, killing Capt Ryerson and one enlisted man. Also 16 others were wounded.
During the battle for Metz in November 1944, Capt Ryerson was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Silver Star Medal.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Grand-Failly, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Ryerson Family Tree, www.10tharmored.com - The Tigers of Bastogne, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery, www.ancestry.com - Gail Parsons, Syracuse University - 1940