HQ-Co, 2nd Bn, 417th Infantry Regiment Ike Grouping Obtained

D. William B-A-I-R-D was born on September 4, 1923 and attended schools in Pennsylvania and New York. After graduation from the Watkins Glen High School, he enrolled at the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University.

In early 1943, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to HQ-Co, 2nd Bn, 417th Regiment in the 76th Division. He served in all three campaigns with the 76th and came out unscathed! He proudly wore his Combat Infantryman’s Badge which he was awarded in February of 1945 after the Sauer River crossing assault. After hostilities in the European Theater concluded, he spent some time in England at the Army College at Shrivenham and was discharged in June of 1946. He joined the New York National Guard in the late 1940s and surprisingly became a field artilleryman with the 249th Field Artillery Bn.

He passed away on Friday, February 19, 2016 and was a resident of Lancaster, New Hampshire at the time.

His hat is laundry marked to him and this grouping came direct from the estate with several 76th Div patches and also his original Good Conduct Medal.