Paratrooper Bracklein Killed on Corregidor, February 19
Overseas Since May Had Taken Part in Several Operations
Pvt. William Bracklein, paratrooper, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bracklein, 918 Carolina N.W., was killed in action on Corregidor, P.I. on Feb. 19, according to a telegram received here Tuesday.
Pvt. Bracklein was a member of the 503rd paratroop regiment. He left for overseas last May 4 and saw his first action in New Guinea later participating in operations at Hollandia, Mindoro and this last action in the invasion of Correigidor.
Pvt. Bracklein was born in Germany on Oct. 10, 1920, and came as a boy of 4 years, with his parents to this country. He attended the Roosevelt public school and was employed at the People's Gas & Electric company until he entered the service on Dec. 5, 1942.
He first went to Camp Claiborne, La., for training, and then joined the paratroops at Fort Benning, Ga., in July 1943. He received his paratrooper wings the following October. In January, 1944, he was sent to Camp McCall, Va., and there until April when he had his last furlough at home before going overseas.
Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Hans, with a medical unit in Belgium; 3 sisters, Anne, Betty and Barbara and 5 brothers at home, Conrad, David, Robert, John and Frederick; also his grandparents and many aunts and uncles in Germany. An uncle, Carl Benz, lives in New York. He was a member of the St. James Lutheran church.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 15, 1945 (photo included)
William Cedric Bracklein, Jr. was born Jan. 1, 1920 to William Cedric (Sr.) and Madline Bracklein. He died Jan. 1, 1945 and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Pvt. Bracklein served in the U.S. Army in World War II with the 503rd and 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was KIA on Corregidor Island in the Philippine Islands and is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines.
Source: ancestry.com
