Grave marker for William A. Bladen in Section 7, Site 147, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville (Anne Arundel county), Maryland

William enlisted at Washington, DC on 4 November 1942 at the age of 17 but his enlistment record stated his birth year was 1924 making him apparently 18 and avoiding parental consent.

Pvt Bladen was assign to Hq Hq, 508th PIR,  He was declared a qualified parachutist on 12 March 1943.

He made it through the Normandy Campaign unscathed but was wounded in action in Holland on 21 September 1944. 

On 12 March 1945 Pvt Bladen was sent to the Camp Sissonne Hospital, listed as a non-battle casualty he probably was a frostbite victim.  Willioam returned to duty on 29 March.

William's military decorations include the Purple Heart and the Bronze Service Arrowhead device awarded for participation in Normandy assault.