WILLIAM "BILLY" M. BAIRD

Big thank you to Bob Baird to have agreed to answer my very numerous questions on her dad and to have sent me all these photos! For his kindness and its availability!

 

<= William "Billy" Mac Baird in 1943

William "Billy" Mac Baird 1957 =>

Her son Bob is on these shoulders.

 

William Mac Baird was born on November 3rd, 1920 to Waco in the state of Texas. He is the youngest of a family of 3 children. These two brothers are: Edwin Isham Baird J, been born in 1916 and which also made the Second World war and Jack F. Baird, been born in 1918. William Baird was graduate of LaVega High School de Waco in 1938.

It joined the Custom Army in 1942. It was incorporated in the Company F and then in the Company of HQ of the 2nd Battalion of 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne. It belonged to the medical team.

It was involved with the Toccoa Camp in Georgia. During summer 43, the formation with Toccoa being finished, it was sent at the height Campbell in Kentucky.

Betty June Wilson worked with the Company of the telephone. It was an operator.

“One day it y have a permission and my father with comrades are left for Paducah. It was occupied lunching in Waldgreen. It was its pause of midday.

My dad and his friends were there also. I guess that it thought that my mom was pretty and began with enguager the conversation. “

In August 1943, they married.

During this same month, the 101st was sent in England.

William Baird accomplished two jumps of combat: it jumped on Normandy and Holland. In Holland, it was wounded.

“It was wounded in Eindhoven, it accepted Purple Heart besides. It was back for the engagements in Bastogne. “

Bastogne, it obtained two decorations: Good Conduct Medal and bronzes it Star.

It was returned to the civil life on September 28, 1945. It left the army with the rank of Technician 4th Grade.

War, Willaim brought back two spoils of war:

A pair of German binocular of Zeiss mark and Luger with its holster.

William Baird and Betty Wilson had a son, Bob Baird who was born in 1956.

Unfortunately, William Baird will not see her son growing. It will die of an attack on October 25, 1958.

 

 

My dad has just lands on a haystack. In England.

This photograph is in the book of Mark Bando “Currahee”.

 

Sector of gathering in England on June 4, 44.

My dad is on left, in the medium with the “glasses” on the helmet.

 

A town of tent - Before the Day-J.

My dad is on left.

 

My dad is all in top on the left.

It is with the team which jumped on Normandy.

 

My dad and other doctor in Germany.

They taste alcohol of the secret cellar of Hitler.

They carry German officer's caps.

My dad is the second on the right.

 

My dad in a jeep with a cap and a German tee-shirt