William H. Traband

WILLIAM H. TRABAND

Grave marker for William H. and Patience C. Traband in Saint Denis Cemetery, Havertown (Delaware County), Pennsylvania.

He was awarded the Silver Star "For gallantry in action on 29 January 1945, at ******, BELGIUM," Click to Read citation

Obituary from Delaware County (PA) Daily Times 4-29-2009
(Courtesy Jim Hegarty)

Traband, William H. "Bill"

TRABAND, WILLIAM "BILL" H., on April 27, 2009, of Prospect Park. Beloved husband of Patience (nee Blong). Devoted father of William H. Jr., John P. (Ronda) and Patrick J. (Marianne). Dear brother of Parker Traband, Fred Traband, Mary Sharkey and Andy Traband. Also survived by 9 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Friday after 8:30 A.M. at THE CAVANAGH FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 301 Chester Pike, Norwood; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 A.M. in the Church of St. Gabriel, Mohawk Ave., Norwood. Interment St. Denis Cemetery, Havertown. Friends may call at CAVANAGH'S Thursday eve 7 to 9 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Taylor Hospice, 300 Johnson Ave., P.O. Box 147, Ridley Park PA 19078.

William H. ‘Bill’ Traband, 86,
Prospect Park resident; World War II veteran

William H. “Bill” Traband, 86, of Prospect Park, a World War II veteran, died April 27.

A resident of Prospect Park for 60 years, he attended Clifton Heights High School.

Mr. Traband was a self-employed painter-paper hanger for more than 50 years.

He was an Army paratrooper during World War II and a “C” Company 508 82nd Airborne platoon sergeant.

Mr. Traband was a recipient of the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.

He served with Leonard Funk, who was a Medal of Honor recipient and was mentioned in the book, “All American All the Way,” by Phil Nordyke.

Mr. Traband was an avid sports fan, especially of the Philadelphia Phillies.

He was son of the late Joseph H. and Jennie Conway Traband.

Survivors: Wife, Patience Blong Traband; sons, William H. Traband Jr. of Prospect Park, John P. Traband of Fordyce, Ark., Patrick J. Traband of Ridley Township; siblings, Parker Traband of Georgia, Fred Traband of Springfield, Mary Sharkey and Andy Traband, both of Clifton Heights; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter.

Service: Mass, 10 a.m. Friday, St. Gabriel Church, Mohawk Avenue, Norwood.

Visitation: 7-9 p.m. Thursday and after 8:30 a.m. Friday, Cavanagh Family Funeral Home, 301 Chester Pike, Norwood.

Burial: St. Denis Cemetery, Havertown.

Contributions: Taylor Hospice, 300 Johnson Ave., P.O. Box 147, Ridley Park, PA 19078.

Obituary from Philadelphia Inquirer (PA) 5-01-2009
(Courtesy Lora Mosely)

William H. Traband, 86, honored World War II vet
By Walter F. Naedele
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

   William H. Traband, 86, of Prospect Park, a self-employed painter and paper-hanger with a distinguished military history, died of leukemia Monday at Taylor Hospice in Ridley Park.
   During World War II, Mr. Traband was one of eight brothers on active duty, his family said. He served with the 82d Airborne Division, taking part in three jumps: on D-Day, into the Netherlands, and into Belgium.
   His honorable-discharge document shows he won a Silver Star. His son John said a brittle yellowed document from the 82d describes how he won the award.

William H. Traband
   On Jan. 29, 1945, it reads, Mr. Traband "was a member of a platoon which was held up in their attack by an enemy strongpoint at Holzheim, Belgium. This strongpoint consisted of two houses which the enemy was defending with a large number of automatic weapons with a 75mm gun and support.
   "Sgt. Traband with two other men volunteered to assault the position from the flank. The group had only 30 rounds of machine gun ammunition, five clips of automatic rifle ammunition, and a few grenades.
   "They attacked the gun and killed the tank commander. This demoralized the other crew members, who ceased firing and fled.
   "While Sgt. Traband's two comrades laid down a base of fire, Sgt. Traband assaulted the house with grenades. The assault was successful, and a total of 80 prisoners were captured.
   "As a result, Company [C] was able to take the remainder of the village."

Born in Upper Darby, Mr Traband graduated from Clifton Heights High School [in] 1940, when he enlisted in the Army. He was self-employed for more than 60 years.
Besides his son John, Mr Traband is survived by his, wife of 62 years, Patience; sons William Jr. and Patrick three brothers; a sister; nine grandchildren; and a great granddaughter.
A visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. today at the Cavanagh Family Funeral Home, 301 Chester Pike, Norwood, followed at 10 a.m. by Funeral Mass at the Church of St. Gabriel, Mohawk and Seminole Avenues, Norwood. Burial will be in St. Denis Cemetery; Havertown.