SGT William D. Green
Sergeant (SGT) William Doyle Green of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, to Albert E. and Jessie R. (Bowdoin) Green on September 20, 1921. William had one brother, Dawson R., and one sister, Shelby V. Green.
William graduated from Tech High School in 1941 and was employed by the A&P Stores, Inc., as a clerk in the general office. He first enlisted in the Merchant Marine in February 1942 and was assigned to the U.S. Maritime Service in Saint Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army in Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Georgia, on September 23, 1942. William was assigned to the 506th and received his paratrooper training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, Fort Benning, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, after which he was sent overseas in September 1943.
After surviving two combat jumps into Normandy and the Netherlands, as well as the Battle of the Bulge, SGT Green found himself with the other Fox Company paratroopers on the Moder River at Grassendorf, France, at the Alsace frontline, on January 30, 1945.
In the early morning hours of February 4, a patrol was sent out across the Moder River. A large part of their route had gone by without an incident when suddenly a mortar dropped right in the middle of the column as they were crossing a roadway. As soon as the mortar exploded, the Germans opened up with machine gun fire, peppering the patrol members. SGT Green was knocked unconscious by the mortar explosion, and a part of one of his lower legs was gone.
All of the patrol members were needed to help the wounded, and there was no one left who could carry SGT Green. The decision was made to leave, but to return for him later with others who were not injured. The men asked for permission to go back for SGT Green after their return, but their request was denied for fear of losing even more men, as the Germans were expected to be waiting for their arrival. As a result, SGT Green died in German captivity that day.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
SGT William Green died at the age of 23 on February 4, 1945. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. Local citizens buried him in proximity to where he had drawn his last breath. His remains were recovered after the war, identified by his jump boots, dental chart, and class ring. SGT Green rests eternally at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, France, at Plot K, Row 31, Grave 16. May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, William.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Sources
Family Search
Fighting Fox Company by Terry Poyser and Bill Brown (pp. 239 – 241)