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Capt William S. Mc Cauley graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia in 1941. He was commissioned as 2nd Lt on his graduation.

The following letter to Captain William S. Mc Cauley's mother from Lieutenant-Colonel E. C'. Dunn, Fourth Cavalry, is self-explanatory: "Although by this time you will have received official notification from the War Department of the death of your son, Captain William S. Mc Cauley, 0-024642, I am writing 'this letter for Colonel Macdonald, and the rest of the officers of the Fourth Cavalry, with the hope that perhaps the circumstances surrounding his supreme sacrifice may be of some comfort to you.
Wounded While Leading Troop
Your gallant son was fatally wounded in action by enemy small arms fire on December 20, 1944, while leading his troop in an attack on an enemy held town in Germany. He was immediately evacuated by our medical officers and given all assistance humanly possible, but died enroute to the hospital. Captain Mc Cauley had gone forward to make a personal reconnaissance of an enemy strong point ahead of his troop. This courageous action was typical of his entire service since our forces landed on the Continent. By his heroic action he set an example of gallant leadership which was an inspiration to all officers and men of this command, and which will live forever in the history of the Fourth ' Cavalry.
Popular with His Men
'Mac", as he was affectionately known to his fellow officers, was one of our most brilliant and promising young officers, and his loss is a serious one to us. Aside from his professional ability, for which his men respected him, he was loved and admired by every officer and man who knew him for his cheerful, friendly disposition, and all the other gentlemanly qualities which he possessed to such a high degree.
Daring in Combat
I came to know your son intimately after first meeting him in January 1943 enroute to join the Fourth Cavalry. His brilliant record as a lieutenant caused me to place him in command of a newly organized troop shortly after our arrival overseas, and his performance as a 'troop commander soon won him promotion to the grade of captain. His daring feats in combat, during the invasion of France and the rapid advance to the German border, have become a legend in our."

Capt Mc Cauley landed in Normandy a few day after D-Day and his unit fought alongside the 101st Airborne Division in the brutal hedgerow fighting.

He was hit by German small arms fire and evacuated to a field hospital, but died enroute.