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name
GOODRICH, William M - Date of
birth
1 July 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Massachusetts -
Hometown
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31310492 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
C Company,
38th Armored Infantry Battalion,
7th Armored Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart,
British Millitairy Cross
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 March 1945 - Place of
death
Gross Seelheim, near Marburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 5 | 32 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Leo Goodrich (father)
Katherine Goodrich (mother)
Leo Goodrich (brother)
Paul J. Goodrich (brother)
Edna Goodrich (sister)
Eleanor Goodrich (sister)
Elizabeth Goodrich (sister)
Marion Goodrich (sister)
Helen Goodrich (sister)
Patricia Goodrich (sister)
More information
Sgt William M. Goodrich graduated from Jamaica Plain High School in Boston in 1941 and worked in the manufacturing industry of professional and scientific apparatus.He enlisted in Boston, Massachusetts on 14 April 1943.
He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. When the tank on which he was riding came under enemy fire from concealed enemy, Sgt Goodrich unhesitatingly moved to an exposed position to draw fire from the enemy troops and so force them to reveal themselves. Although he was killed in carrying out his courageous act he made it possible for his comrades to knock out the German forces and continue their sweeping advance.
His name is listed on the World War II Memorial in Boston.
He is also remembered ath New Calvary Cemetery in Mattapan, Massachusetts.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Katherine Schwinden, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Records, www.abmc.gov, www.findagrave.com, http://www.7tharmddiv.org/index.htm - Silver Star Citation
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Katherine Schwinden