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name
SARVER, William A - Date of
birth
31 January 1920 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri -
Hometown
Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O1170962 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Forward Observer -
Unit
HQ Battery,
67th Armored Field Artillery Battalion,
3rd Armored Division,
Observation, Reconnaissance and Liaison Platoon
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 April 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Paderborn, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 8 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Jack R. Sarver (father)
Cordia Sarver (mother)
Donald J. Sarver (brother)
Herbert L. Sarver (brother)
Robert B. Sarver (brother)
Mary K. Sarver (sister)
Eleanor L. Sarver (sister)
Patricia A. Sarver (sister)
Marian Sarver (wife)
Kathleen Sarver (daughter)
William Sarver (son)
More information
William A. Sarver graduated from Central High School in Kansas City in 1937 where he was recognized as an outstanding baseball player. At the age of 17, and making a name for himself playing third base for Lapetina of the Ban Johnson League, Sarver attended a New York Yankees tryout camp. There were 500 attendees at the camp. Sarver and future Yankees catcher Ralph Houk were among the seven who received a contract with the American League Club.Sarver was 21 years old and had completed four seasons in the minors. But his career was on hold as he entered military service on 3 November 1941. Sarver was selected for Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in November 1942.
He was sent overseas in January 1945.
He was killed by small arms fire.
2nd Lt Sarver was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, which was presented to his wife and children at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
Source of information: FOHF, ABMC, www.findagrave.com, Examiner, René Franssen, www.baseballsgreatestsacrifice.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Daniëlle & René Franssen, Kansas City Library - Gold Star Collection