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name
HEARINGTON, William David Jr - Date of
birth
23 May 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Norfolk, Virginia -
Hometown
Peachtree Hills, Fulton County, Georgia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-541699 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Platoon Commander -
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
175th Infantry Regiment,
29th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 October 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Geilenkirchen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 4 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William D. Hearington (father)
Genevive Hearington (mother)
More information
2nd Lt William Hearington attended Georgia Tech and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1943.He was sent overseas in August 1944 and joined his unit from Replacement Depot on 19 September 1944.
His father served with the European Civil Affairs Division with the rank of major.
Lt Hearington was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation stated: On the night of Oct 13, 1944, during an attack against an enemy-occupied town, Lt Hearington's platoon was impeded by enemy wire obstables. Later, the enemy subjected his platoon to grazing automatic fire. Exposing himself to this deadly fire, Lt Hearington, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved among his men directing their fire. Traversing the lanes of the enemy fire, he then led his support squad forward into firing positions. While attempting to evacuate a casualty this valiant officer was mortally wounded.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Virginia Birth Records, The Atlanta Constitution
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.newspapers.com - The Atlanta Constitution - 17 November 1944, University of Mississippi