Honoring Service: Veteran William G. Werner, WWII
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WILLIAM G. WERNER was born in New York on July 7, 1919.. In Rye his family lived at 45 Harbor Terrace Dr., in the Hix Park section of Rye and were members of Christ Church. William had completed four years of college before enlisting at Fort Jay on Governors Island on July 25, 1941. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. William G Werner was born July 7, 1919.
Date of Birth: 7/7/1919
Died On: 11/18/1943
Street Address: 45 Harbor Terrace Dr.
Service Number: 2034770
Branch of Service: U.S. Army – Battery B, 237th AAA Searchlight Battalion
William served as a Second Lieutenant the U. S. Armys Battery B, 237th AAA Searchlight Battalion. The Searchlight Battalion was formed in Townsville, Australia, during the dark early days of World War II, when the Japanese had overrun almost all of the South Pacific. The unit fought bravely in New Guinea and the Philippines, building an extraordinary esprit de corps. William was killed in action on November 18, 1943 in the Battle of Sattelberg in New Guinea. This battle was a part of the Huon Peninsula Campaign. The Battle of Sattelberg commenced on the 17th and ended on the 25th.
A letter was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Werner of Harbor Terrace Avenue, twenty-four hours after they received word from the War Department of his death on November 18 in New Guinea. In the letter, which was dated November 7, he wrote,
“No such luck as heading back. We have just begun to fight. I’m afraid I wouldn’t like returning home without taking a crack at the Japs. Granted I have seen action, but I’d like more.”
Born in Rye Lieut. Werner was 24 years old, a graduate of Rye High School and Dartmouth College in June, 1941.
