Pfc. William L. Strawhecker returned to Camp Campbell, Ky., after spending a ten-day furlough with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Leon Strawhecker. He also spent several days in Philadelphia visiting friends.

[West Schuylkill Herald , Tower City, PA, 21 Apr 1944, Fri, Page 1]

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Strawhecker, of Muir, have received a letter from their son, P. F. C. William L. Strawhecker, saying that he has arrived safely in England.

[West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, PA, 21 Jul 1944, Fri, Page 1]

Porter Paratrooper
Wounded In Holland
   Mr. and Mrs. Leon Strawhecker, of Muir, received a telegram from the War Department stating that their son Pfc. William L. Strawhecker, was slightly wounded in action on September 1st in Holland, and that they will be advised as reports of his condition are received.  "Bill" as he is better known to his many friends, is a graduate of Porter Township class of '42. He was inducted into the army, June 1st of '43. He was sent to Camp Campbell, Ky. where he was in training for eleven months and was then sent overseas, arriving in England sometime in June. In England he was with the Parachute Infantry Company.

[West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, PA, 20 Oct 1944, Fri • Page 1]

WOUNDED IN HOLLAND
   Mr. and Mrs. Leon Strawhecker of Tower City, have been advised by the War Department that their son, Pfc. William L. Strawhecker, was wounded in action, September 1st, in Holland.
   Pfc. Strawhecker is a graduate of the Porter Township High School, Reinerton, and entered the army in June 1943.

[Elizabethville Echo, Elizabethville, PA, 26 Oct 1944, Thu, Page 1]

WOUNDED IN HOLLAND Mr. and Mrs. Leon Strawhecker, Tower City, have received a telegram from the War Department stating that their son, Pfc. William L. Strawhecker, was wounded in action on September 1, in Holland. Pvt. Strawhecker is a graduate of Porter Township High School. He was inducted into service in June, 1943, and received his basic training at Camp Campbell, Ky. He was with paratroop infantry.

[Lykens Register. Lykens, Pa, 27 Oct 1944, Fri, Page 1]

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Strawhecker of Muir received a letter from their son, Pfc. William L. Strawhecker, stating that he is back in England in a hospital. Bill was wounded on September 1st, in Holland. He is recovering nicely.

[West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, PA, 10 Nov 1944, Fri, Page 1]

[courtesy of Ernie Steelen]

Burial record and grave marker of William L. Strawhecker in Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City (Schuylkill county), Pennsylvania.

William registered for the draft ca. 1942 and was inducted at Allentown, PA on 1 June 1943.

Pvt Strawhecker's arrival date in the 508th PIR is unknown.  He was wounded in action in Holland on 18 September 1944 [although news articles at left often state the event was on September 1st.]  He returned to duty on 8 November 1944.

Pvt Strawhecker was hospitalized as a non-battle casualty on 30 December 1944.  He returned to duty on 15 January 1945 and was appointed to Pfc on the 26th.

On 22 February 1950, William submitted this application for the Pennsylvania WWII Veterans Bonus.  He was credited with 13 months of domestic duty and 19 months foreign service yielding a $415.00 bonus payout.