Memorial

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Capt William R. Weir Jr. graduated from Fargo Central Hgih School and attended college. He worked as a floor manager

He enlisted in San Francisco, California on 1 July 1942.

He was killed after he had thrown a hand grenade into a German tank which was on the main road to the town of Nuttum. A nearby German soldier shot him as he turned away from the flaming tank.

Excerpt from a video interview by William Farley with Harold Kozloff about his experiences as a foot soldier in WWII:
"The company commander of one of our companies was a guy I admired tremendously. He was about 6'6"; He weighed about 250, and a mignificent specimen of a man. We were being held up by these 2 kids who where sniping at us. I said, "Captain,"...I says, "Let me go around. There's a burned out tank, and I'll see if I can get a shot at them." He says, "They're just kids. Come on." We walked out into ... His name was Weir. I really loved the man. He walked out in front of the kids. One of the kids ... I couldn't get a clear shot at him. One of the kids raised his rifle, and bang, and hit him right in the head."

The citation of his Distinguished Service Cross stated: "The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to William R. Weir, Jr. (0-303310), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 15 April 1945. Captain Weir's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 97th Infantry Division, and the United States Army."