William Ropple

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 12^th 1945 around 1500 hours 1^st Platoon of the Recon Company 643^rd 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