William Guarnere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Guarnere
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Corporal Guarnere at Camp Toccoa, Georgia
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| Nickname(s) | "Wild Bill" |
| Born | April 28, 1923 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 8, 2014 (aged 90) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Staff sergeant |
| Unit | Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart (2) |
| Relations | Frances (wife) Henry (brother, deceased-1944) |
| Other work | Author, veterans organization member |
William J. Guarnere Sr. (April 28, 1923 – March 8, 2014) was an American paratrooper who fought in World War II. He was a leader in Easy Company, part of the 101st Airborne Division.
Guarnere wrote a book called Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends with his friend Edward "Babe" Heffron in 2007. He was also shown in the 2001 HBO TV series Band of Brothers, where he was played by Frank John Hughes.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
William Guarnere was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 1923. He was the youngest of 10 children. When he was 15, he joined a military training program called the Citizens Military Training Camp (CMTC). His mother told the government he was older so he could join. He wanted to become an officer in the United States Army.
After three summers in the program, it was stopped because World War II had started in Europe. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Guarnere left high school early to work at Baldwin Locomotive Works. This company made Sherman tanks for the army. His mother was upset because he didn't finish school. So, he went back to school at night and got his diploma in 1942.
Even though his work meant he didn't have to join the military, Guarnere chose to enlist on August 31, 1942. He began his training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia.
Military Service in World War II
Guarnere became part of Easy Company, a group of paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division. His first combat jump was on D-Day, June 6, 1944. This was a huge invasion by the Allies in France.
He earned the nickname "Wild Bill" because he was very brave and aggressive against the enemy. He strongly disliked the German soldiers because his older brother, Henry Guarnere, had been killed fighting in Italy.
Fighting in Normandy
On D-Day, Guarnere joined Lieutenant Richard Winters and other soldiers. They were trying to secure a small village called Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. As they moved, they heard German soldiers coming. Winters told his men to wait to fire, but Guarnere started shooting right away with his Thompson submachine gun. He took out most of the German unit.
Later that morning, Guarnere also helped Winters attack four large German guns at Brécourt Manor. Winters made Guarnere a sergeant. This attack, where 13 paratroopers fought about 50 German soldiers, became famous. It showed how a small group could defeat a much larger enemy force.
Injuries and Return to Duty
In October 1944, Guarnere was hurt while Easy Company was holding a line near the Rhine River. He was checking on his men and rode a stolen motorcycle across an open field. A German sniper shot him in the right leg, breaking his bone and putting shrapnel in his leg. He was sent back to England to recover.
While recovering, Guarnere really wanted to get back to Easy Company. He put shoe polish on his cast and tried to leave the hospital. He was caught, demoted, and sent back to the hospital. He kept saying he would go AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) to rejoin his unit. So, after another week, the hospital sent him back to Easy Company. He rejoined them just before the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Because his paperwork about being demoted didn't arrive, he was put back in his old position.
Final Injury
During the Battle of the Bulge, a heavy artillery attack hit Easy Company. Guarnere lost his right leg in the explosion while trying to help his friend Joe Toye, who had also lost his right leg. This injury meant Guarnere could no longer fight in the war.
Guarnere received the Silver Star for his bravery at the Brecourt Manor Assault on D-Day. He also earned three Bronze Star Medals and two Purple Hearts. This made him one of only two Easy Company members to receive the Silver Star during the war.
Richard Winters, his commanding officer, once called Guarnere a "natural killer" in his book.
Awards and Decorations
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Later Life and Legacy
William Guarnere returned to the United States in March 1945. He worked many different jobs. He used an artificial leg for a while, but later used only crutches after getting full disability from the Army.
He became very involved in groups for veterans and often led reunions for Easy Company.
After the war, Guarnere married his girlfriend, Frances Peca, and they had two sons, Eugene and William Jr. Eugene also served in the military during the Vietnam War. At the time of his death, Guarnere had nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Guarnere's book, Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends, shared the experiences of Easy Company. He wrote it with his best friend, Edward "Babe" Heffron, and Robyn Post. The book was published in 2007. Guarnere and Heffron remained close friends throughout their lives.
William Guarnere passed away on March 8, 2014, at the age of 90. He died from a ruptured aneurysm in Philadelphia.
After his death, Guarnere's granddaughter started the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund. This fund helps veterans, continuing Bill's tradition of giving back. In 2015, the fund presented an 8-foot bronze statue of Wild Bill Guarnere at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial.
See also
In Spanish: William Guarnere para niños
