US AIRBORNE

William John McLean was born on August 24, 1919 in Melrose in Michigan. He is the only son of Clarence and Elsa McLean.

He married with Helen Frances in October 1939 and have 3 boys: John, Robert and William.

William J McLean went voluntary when his children were old 1, 2 and 3 years. He explained to his wife why it felt guilty to be at his place while so many of his friends served the fatherland.

He once arrived to England that he decided to join the 82nd Airborne. He belonged to the thousands of men who were recruited in an “ aggressive” way with enticing the premium of 50$ for the airborne troops. He was proud to join this troop of elite. We are in September 44, he integrated the Company B of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne.

Hardly arrived in its company, that the battle of the Ardennes begins. He was wounded with the hip of a shooting of machine-gun. After be donehaving been done looked after in France, he is back in its company, in Germany, in Mars 1945. During April and March, the life of the regiment was calm. He was placed in reserve close to the town of Cologne. But its unit was recalled to the face at the time of pushed on Elba. On April 30, 1945, close to Bleckede, he went voluntary to take part in a patrol in order to destroy a position of enemy machine-gun. With overdraft, he was mown by the machine-gun.

He leaves his wife, widow at 25 years, with 3 little boys.

William J. McLean is buried with the American Cemetery of Magraten, in Holland. He is decorated in particular, of Silver Star on a purely posthumous basis.