Sgt. William "Billy" T. Ropple jr. 

Mil# 11049218

Enlisted: 10 March 1942, Boston, MA

1st Platoon Recon. Company 643rd TD BN.

 

 

 

 

Born: 13 January 1923   Place: Boston, MA

Died: 12 April 1945     Place: Barby, Germany

 

Date of temp. Burial:     at: American Military Cemetery Margraten (Netherlands)

Location: Plot: EE.  Row: 9. Grave: 212.

Date of final Burial:     at: American Military Cemetery Margraten (Netherlands)

Location: Plot: D. Row: 18. Grave: 18.

 

Wife: Katharine Ropple (O'Brien)   Married:  

Children: Billy

Last known address: 18 Greenlawn Ave. Farnumsville, MA

 

 

Awards

 

      Purple Heart - Good Conduct Medal - Bronze Star Medal - WWII Victory Medal

 

                                             

 

European African Middle Eastern Service Medal

Battle Stars"Ardennes-Rhineland-Eastern Europe"

 

On April 12th 1945 around 1500 hours 1st Platoon of the Recon Company 643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion left the hamlet Wespen driving on the secondary road leading east into the city of Barby, just as the Platoon approached almost the outskirts west of Barby three jeeps and two (M8) Armored cars received a heavy burst of fire from out the city outskirts, wounding quite a few men and later proved 5 men were killed, William was one of them.

One week later his son was born. He received later posthumously his fathers Medals (see photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info/photos received from;

Bill Durette
Charlestown Veterans History project
 

 

 

 

 

 

William's son Billy is here receiving the

Bronze Star, Good Conduct, ETO and Victory Medal awarded posthumously to

his father. Accompanied by his mother Kay and Major Douglas A. McKillop. 

 

 

Transcribed letter written by William Ropple

 

 

 

To: Mr. & Mrs. William T. Ropple, Sr           Sgt Wm. T. Ropple, Jr

47 Sever Street                                             New York, NY

Charlestown, Mass                                      

     

  

                                                              Feb 17, 1945   Belgium                                                                   

 

Dear Mom & Dad,

I guess you think your soldier son has deserted you.  You know I wouldn’t do that, don’t you?It’s first that we’ve been busy often & I don’t get settled very often long enough to write.  Well, Folks, you know I must be happy for one thing because I got what I wanted but now I’m just as anxious to get home as I was to come over here.  Kay’s letters are certainly keeping the morale high on my post & the fact that she’s feeling in the pink is the most important thing.  I hope this letter finds you & dad and the kids o.k.  You know you don’t have to worry about me, Mom.  You know I never started anything I couldn’t finish and I never did get into any serious trouble, did I?

By the way, Mom, I’m sorry about Jeanette.  I just finished writing her a letter giving her a little advice.  I sent it to the school.  Please don’t mention it to her at all & I’ll write her another one in a few days.  Also, when I write to Bob I’ll have him do the same.  I’ll write soon again.  All my love to everyone.

 

                                                                                           Your loving Son, Billy

 

William T. Ropple's grave marker on

American Military Cemetery Margraten, The Netherlands. 

 

 

 

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