Memorial

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1s t Lt William H. Malcomson Jr. attended the University of Pennsylvania.

He was a member of Undine's national championship lightweight eights from 1935 to 1938 and also was a member of the club's four that won the United States and Canadian title in 1936. His 1941 Undine crew won the Julius H. Barnes national rowing championship at Minneapolis.

He was killed near Thirimont, along with a few other soldiers, prisoners of war, kept under supervision when he was shot by a German sniper.

His parents received a letter from Lt Carl E. Jefferson which reads: "It happened in Belgium in a little town of Thirimont, between Malmedy and St. Vith. On the morning of the 15th, Bill's platoon strength had been whittled down to just one M-10 Tank Destroyer. The others (3) had either been put out of action by mechanical failures or AT Mines. Supporting a fine battalion of infantry was his mission in the taking of Thirimont. He led or rather rode his one remaining destroyer into the Western edge of town on the night of the 14th, accompanied by two tanks and the infantry. In the morning, we started to drive the Germans out of the objective. On such a mission, we are usually right with the infantry, reducing mg. nests and strong points with direct fire, and always giving them (the infantry) anti-tank protection. Bill knocked out a German assault gun, they are like tanks, and in general he and his crew fought a magnificent battle. He kept his superb sense of humor to the end, always joking and exhorting his men. Never in my association with the Army have I seen a man so universally admired and so conspicuously not disliked by any man.
Well, to get on, a sniper got him as he was looking out of the turret. He was hit on the forehead and lived for about twenty minutes. He didn't suffer, nor did he say a word - just smiled his usual smile - as much as to say, that's life, you can't win 'em all. That was one of his favorite expressions.

His entire platoon took it as though they had been hit with a truck and it was several days before they were able to be committed again. It was a great shock to me, I'll never forget Bill, he was the greatest friend I ever had.

About the time he was ill. He had a severe cold, and we were doing artillery work together with his platoon and I just made him stay in bed and brought the doctor. His men and I had great fun, forcing him to stay in bed and making him observe his pill schedule. We managed to get him well in a few days, and then we would go see the children in Holland most every day. Els, one of the twins, adored him. Ans, the other, was my little admirer. We had great fun bringing them chocolate, food, and everything else we could get hold of. The Kruyt family live in Spekholzerheide, Holland and are grand people and are, as all of us, broken up about Bill."