Pennsport in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William "Wild Bill" Guarnere
Military Life
William "Wild Bill" Guarnere, a sergeant in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, fought in the European Theatre during World War II. He enlisted in 1942 at age 19, trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, and became a mortar squad sergeant before training in Aldbourne, England. He parachuted into Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, as part of the D-Day Allied Invasion. Reacting to the news of his brother Henry getting killed fighting in Italy, he earned the nickname "Will Bill" for his gallantry in action in the name of his lost brother. He went on to liberate Son and Eindhoven, Holland in Operation Market Garden. During combat in Bastogne, Belgium, in the winter of 1944, he lost his right let while trying to save a comrade. For his service, Guarnere was awarded the Silver Star—one of only two given within Easy Company—along with three Bonze Stars and two Purple Hearts. He returned to the United States in March 1945.
This statue is dedicated to the brave men and women of South Philadelphia and all over the world who have served and sacrificed in the name of freedom.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1945.
Location. 39° 55.837′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edward "Babe" Heffron (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named William "Wild Bill" Guarnere (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Edward "Babe" Heffron (here, next to this marker); Pennsport Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Moriah Temple Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Summary of Mummery (approx. ¼ mile away); The Colored Conventions: A Buried History (approx. ¼ mile away); The Grand Battery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 41 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
