An Incredibly Complete 304th Infantry Machine Gunner's Grouping

William W W A L K E R was born in Pennsylvania in 1926. Upon graduating High School in the spring of 1944, he immediately walked down to the recruiting office and signed up. Finishing up basic training at Camp Blanding that summer, he was assigned to the 1st Machine Gun Platoon, M-Company, 304th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division at Camp McCoy. Although wet behind the ears and as green as the grass, he shipped out to the ETO with the 76th on Thanksgiving Day 1944. He fought in all 3 campaigns and came out unscathed. Being so new to the unit (and the Army for that matter!) he suffered the occupation blues serving with both the 8th Division and finally shipping home with the 11th Regiment of the 5th Division in 1946.

This grouping is the most complete in my collection.

Everything is 100% from this veteran and some of it combat used. The double buckle boots are by far one of my favorite items I own. The wear and the tear on them was no doubt earned climbing muddy river banks in Germany and having hot 30-06 casings fall on them in the heat of battle. The photos show just how young this brave infantryman was. Unlike the other veterans' uniforms I own, Mr W-A-L-K-E-R is still with us as of this posting. Unfortunately, due to deteriorating medical and mental health conditions, his wartime experiences will remain locked away for his remaining days. It is my profound honor to have obtained his items and I look forward to telling his story to future generations for many years to come!