45th Infantry Division with link to web site

William M. Hamerdinger, U.S. Army
                            5 December 1913 - 13 April 2008
                                       A Tribute

Combat Infantry MedalA Father at WarCombat Infantry Medal

Growing Up
Growing Up 

Love and Marriage
Love and Marriage

A Father at War
A Father at War

Home Again
Home Again

Life and Times
Life and Times

Pfc. William M. Hamerdinger at basic training
Pfc. William M. Hamerdinger at basic training
William, already a father, volunteered to join the fight against the axis powers in 1942.  After basic training he was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division, the Fighting Thunderbirds, out of Oklahoma.  He joined company I of the 180th regiment. For the story of the 45th, see http://www.45thdivision.org/history.htm

He participated in a number of campaigns in Sicily southern Italy before being wounded the first time at Anzio.  After recuperating from his injuries, he rejoined his outfit in France and fought with them into southern Germany.  He was wounded a second time, earning oak leaves for his purple heart and a bronze star for valor.  Typical of many of his generation, he didn't much like war.   But he liked the Nazis even less and did what he had to do.  

 


Pfc. William M. Hamerdinger 
Recuperating from injuries sustained in combat

 Patch Him Up and Send Back

This was the first of two times William would be at the Woodrow Wilson Army Hospital in Virginia to recover from injuries sustained in combat. 

Medals that Dad was entitled to wear. 
Top, L to R.: Bronze Star (Valor) Purple Heart (Oak Cluster)
Bottom, L to R.: Good Conduct, European Theatre, WWII Victory

William with David and Susan while on leave
David and Susan share a happy moment with Dad while he was on leave.  To see a larger picture click on the picture above.

 

Back to the Home Page

Back to the Home Page