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name
BLESSING, William Robert - Date of
birth
29 September 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-1037395 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
92nd Chemical Mortar Battalion
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
12 April 1945 - Place of
death
unknown
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 20 | 22 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles M. Blessing (father)
Helen A. Blessing (mother)
Helen D. (Boutz) Blessing (wife)
More information
2nd Lt William R. Blessing was employed at Summerdale Dye Works.He enlisted with the Field Artillery on 17 February 1941 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for gallantry in saving an entire squad of men pinned down by enemy fire. He rushed into an open field under a hail of sniper bullets to set up a machine gun and cover the withdrawal for the men.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.newspapers.com - The Philadelphia Inquirer
Photo source: Des Philippet/http://www.findagrave.com/