County at Hardin, IL.
He was inducted at Ft. Sheridan, IL. and completed 17
weeks of basic at North Camp Hood, TX; qualified in Tank
Destroyers as first class gunner.
Arrived on the front Feb. 11, 1945 and joined B Co.,
805th Tank Destroyers. Spearheaded under Lt. McClellan and
was in the first Tank Destroyer to cross the Po River on a
ferry before the Sherman tanks could cross. First Tank
Destroyers into Verona, Italy before Shermans. Was instru-
mental in destroying a German 88mm anti-tank gun, German
tank, German 20mm anti-aircraft guns, plus much more too
numerous to mention.
Received European-African-Middle-Eastern Theatre
Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars for Appenines Moun-
tains, Po Valley and Alp Mountains, Victory Medal, American
Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation
Medal of Germany, and was recommended for the Bronze Star
Medal. He was discharged May 13, 1946, after attending
cooking and baking school and graduated as 1st cook.
He attended five years of college and taught school 28
years. He is now retired, living in Waterloo, IL, with his wife,
Edith. They have six children, all grown: Rita, Lannie,
Greg, Joe, Terry and Bryan, have 12 grandchildren, and 2 great
grandchildren.
of the WW2 National Tank Destroyer -
Society 2001
Jim Holste Commander Hardin, IL.
American Legion Post 636
Bill has nine Tank Destroyer Albums
