Sergeant William Leroy Anding
United States Army, World War II – Killed In Action
63rd Chemical Warfare Service
February 24, 2021 - Versey Collins and Robert Lee Anding received an early Christmas package with the birth of son William Leroy on December 19, 1915 at their farm in rural Shelby County, Texas. William grew up with three sisters, Era, Apolonia and Oveda. By the time he was three years old the World War in Europe had begun and ended for the United States. Tragically mother Versey passed away at the age of 34 in 1926 leaving Robert to raise the four children which he did with the help of his parents Andrew and Mary Anding. Like their father all the children attended at least two years of high school.(1)
On October 16, 1940, William age 24 complied with the Selective Service Act of 1940 by registering for the military draft at Precinct 3, Shelby County, Texas. His Registration Card, D.S.S. Form 1 showed; residence RFD # 2, Choice, Texas; employed by the National Young Administration (NYA) as an Auto Mechanic in Center; was five foot 9 inches tall, 135 pounds; with blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.(2)
William voluntarily joined the US Army on March 5, 1941 and following basic training he was assigned to the 63 Chemical Warfare Service. The Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) deployed and prepared gas weapons for use throughout the world during World War II, however, these weapons were never used in combat. The CWS completed a variety of non-chemical warfare related tasks and missions during the war including producing incendiaries for flame throwers, flame tanks and other weapons.(3)
With the Japanese surprise attack on the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii the United States was once again fighting a world war but now on two fronts, the Pacific and Europe. According to the January 6, 1944 edition of the Champion Newspaper, Center, Texas, William arrived in Africa in March 1943 and then Sicily in August. Three days after his twenty-eighth birthday, Sergeant William Anding, # 38053326 died of injuries received in action December 22, 1943 while serving in Italy. His comrades would continue the fight to victory in Europe, May 8, 1945 and the Pacific, September 2, 1945.
Following the end of World War II of which more than 405,300 Americans died, families were offered burial options. They could choose burial in an overseas military cemetery or bring the remains of their loved one home to the United States for burial in a cemetery of their choice. Father Wesley chose the latter as did approximately 60% of other families facing the same decision.(4) It was an enormous undertaking and did not happen overnight.
The Champion Newspaper, Center, Texas, December 9, 1948 reported reburial services for William Leroy Anding, age 28 were held Tuesday, December 7 at 2 p.m. in the Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. W. H. Ellis officiating. Survivors were; father Robert Lee Anding; three sisters Mrs. Era Belle Gilchrist, Miss Apolonia Anding, both of Center and Miss Ovada Anding, Commerce, Texas. Interment followed in the Short Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas close to his mother Versey. Day is done, God is nigh.
“That these dead shall not have died in vain”…….Abraham Lincoln
Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze campaign star and the World War II Victory Medal.
References:
(1): Year: 1930; Census Place: Precinct 1, Shelby, Texas; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 0002; FHL microfilm: 2342124
(2): Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
(3): https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Chemical_Corps#World_War_II
(4): General Information. Accessed February 6, 2021. https://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/publications/NCA_America_WWII_Burial_Program
