PFC William S. Metzler

Today we honor and remember PFC William S. Metzler of the 101st Airborne Division.

Private First Class (PFC) William Sanchez Metzler of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), was born in Naco, Cochise County, Arizona, to Jose F. E. and Julia (Sanchez) Metzler on April 21, 1922. William had six brothers, Alfonso, Antonio S., Francisco, Julio, Roberto, and James S. Metzler, and five sisters, Alice, Herminia S., Amelia, Maria G., and Hortencia Metzler.

William attended primary and grade school in his hometown. He had completed nearly two years of work at Bisbee High School when he dropped out of school. He signed up for the draft in Los Angeles, California, on June 30, 1942, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, also in Los Angeles, on August 18, 1942. William volunteered for paratroop duty, became a member of Easy Co, and after completing the arduous training with the 506th, was sent overseas in September 1943.

PFC William Metzler jumped into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. What exactly happened to him is a mystery.

According to the Application Form for his headstone, the date he was killed in action is June 9 (the form previously even mentioned June 24, but that date is crossed out). According to a Morning Report, he was Seriously Wounded in Action (SWA) and transported to a hospital on June 6, 1944. Where or when he exactly died remains a mystery.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

Born and raised in Naco, Arizona, William Metzler was remembered as a handsome, fun-loving young man, a good friend, and a devout Catholic, who loved to play the guitar and sing.

PFC William Metzler died at the age of 22.

After his initial internment in Normandy in the temporary military cemetery of Hiesville, at Plot A, Row 11, Grave 106, on June 9, 1944, he was reburied in the temporary military cemetery of Blosville, at Plot I, Row 5, Grave 82, on July 4, 1944.

At the request of his family, William’s body returned to his home county aboard a Southern Pacific Passenger Train in April 1948. He was re-buried and laid to rest in the family plot at Panteon Municipal, Naco, in Sonora, Mexico, on Wednesday, April 28, 1948. May he rest in peace.

He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, William. Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

The sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.