Memorial

Biography

Biography written by his daughter: "When William Francis Mc Donald was born on 2 September 1918, his father, John, was 28 and his mother, Mary, was 26. William was one of seven children. He grew up in Brighton, Massachusetts with his mother, father and his six sisters. He married Irene Morris on 4 September l942. William had enlisted in the Army in March of 1942 and volunteered for parachute training. The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated on 26 December 1942 at Fort Benning, and attached to the 13th Airborne in August 1943. On 10 March 1944 the Regiment was formally assigned to the 17th Airborne. After completing basic training, specialist training, and a variety of training maneuvers, the unit left with the Division for England. I have many letters my mother and father sent back and forth to each other. They wrote of my birth. Would I be a boy or girl? My Dad hoped I would be a girl. He thought a girl first later a boy. They spoke of budget how to pay the hospital bills and saving for the crib, and the special carriage my mother wanted. He worried about my mother, but he knew she would have support from our family. They spoke of the future. Bill was wounded 24 March, Wesel, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany. He died on 27 March 1945, at the age of 26 as a result of wounds received in action. Their daughter Maureen Frances McDonald was born 31 March l945."

More information

Pfc William Mc Donald attended high school for 2 years and worked in a bakery.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Boston, Massachusetts on 4 April 1942.