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Cherokee County WWII War Stories


WILLIAM BURCH



PVT. WILLIAM BURCH WOUNDED IN MUNDA BATTLE - Pvt. William E. Burch, 21, a brother of Mrs. Edward Hoepner and Mrs. May Miles of Cherokee, was slightly wounded January 14th in Munda, New Georgie Island, in the southwest Pacific. Mr. Miles was notified by the War Department late Thursday.

"Regret to inform you of your brother, Pvt. William E. Burch, was on fourteen January slightly wounded in action in Munda, " said an official telegram signed by J. A. Ulio, adjutant general.  "Report further states normal improvement.  Letter containing present mail address follows."

Pvt. Burch has been overseas only a short time, his sister, Mrs. Hoeppner, said.  Besides his sister, two aunts, Mrs. Don Reed and Mrs. Ruby Salisbury, live in Cherokee.  His parents are Mr. & Mrs. William Burch, Sr.  Mrs. Burch is living in Chicago and the father is working in Bremerton, WA.

Pvt. Burch was born in Cherokee, May 22, 1922 and spent all of his life here prior to his induction in the armed forces more than a year ago.  He took his basic training at camp McCain and was later stationed at Fort Ord, CA.  His relatives only recently learned that he had been wounded when they received the letter.

Private Burch attended the Cherokee schools and worked for the Illinois Central railroad.
 
Source: Cherokee County Historical Society Newsletter, Vol 15, Num 1, Jan 1980, Sec V, Pg 12.   Reprinted from Cherokee Daily Times - January 21, 1944.

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