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William Fink
Awards and Citations: Silver Star & Purple Heart
Enlisted: 02/17/1941
Deceased: 08/12/1943 DNB (Died-Non-Battle)
Location: Corleone, Palermo, Italy
Hometown: CHICAGO ILLINOIS, COUNTY COOK
Army Serial Number: 36003886
Burial: Oakridge-Glen Oak Cemetery
Plot:
GPS (lat/lon): 41°51’23.0″N 87°53’34.5″W
Biographical Info
Location grave Staffsergeant William Fink at the Oakridge-Glen Oak Cemetary:
Phase: Phase III – Preparations for Entering the ETO
The capture of Palermo ended the fighting in western Sicily. A short campaign, the division with its aggressiveness and speed as well as the lack of enthusiasm with which the enemy defended their rocky island captured its objective ahead of schedule, and the troops that took an active part in the campaign moved into a rest and training area to the east of Palermo. Companies “A” and “B” of the Engineers entered an olive grove bivouac west of Capaci 26 July, where a provisional battalion was set up under Lt Col. John Chambers.
During the next month companies were busy removing and exploding mines from numerous minefields – one of more than 700 mines being lifted by Co. “A” on the Capaci Torretta road. Road reconnaissance, the preparation of road bypasses, the construction of PW cages and assistance in preparing & divisional cemetery were among the tasks assigned. S/Sgt William Fink of Co. “B” was accidently killed when a captured German motorcycle he was riding threw him under a heavy truck near Corleone on 12 August 1943.
Swimming was enjoyed off the coast during the afternoons, for warm weather remained as Autumn grew older.
Source: Unit Historry 17th Armored Engineer Battalion
Summary
Staffsergeant William Fink died during a unfortunate accident with the German Motorcycle, apparently not during a mission or a battle. He was riding the motorcycle on his own time what is the reason that he was offcialy noted as “Died-Non-Battle”.
Newpaper article:
Review and Forest Parker (Forest Park, Cook, Illinois) · 23 Sep 1943
(NOTE: de article states he was Killed in Action in North Africa. That is not correct, he Died-non battle in Sicily.)
Location where Staffsergeant William Fink died during an accident with a captured German Motorcycle:
Official casualty list, Chicago Illinois, County Cook
The location where William Fink lived with his parents Joseph and Elizabeth, as an 28 year old “Bricklayer”:
Adress: Bellwood, Proviso Township, Cook, Illinois, United States
US Sensus 1940
Role |
Sex |
Age |
Birthplace |
|
Joseph Fink | Head | M | 59 | Germany |
Elizabeth Fink | Wife | F | 61 | Germany |
William Fink | Son | M | 28 | Illinois |
Father Joseph Fink was a Building Contracter and his son was a Bricklayer at a steam railroad company (it was not correct noted at the nameline of Elisabeth).
When William enlisted in 1941 we know he was a carpenter.
Enlistment details
Name
|
William Fink |
Race | White |
Birth Year | 1911 |
Age Group
|
26 – 30 |
Residence | Cook County, Illinois |
Height | 71 in. |
Weight | 208 lbs. |
Civilian Occupation | Carpenters |
Marital Status | Single, without dependents |
Education
|
Grammar School |
Citizenship Status | U.S. Citizen |
Service Details
Rank
|
Private |
Branch
|
Branch Immaterial or General Officers |
Component | Selectees |
Enlistment Details
Enlistment Location
|
Chicago |
Enlistment Date | February 17, 1941 |
Enlistment Term
|
Enlistment for assignment to another corps area |
Army Serial Number
|
36003886 |
Pictures
Research © by: Martijn Brandjes
Text © by: Martijn Brandjes
Photos © by: Moos Raaijmakers, Findagrave.com