William B Haufshield Jr January 10, 1916 -- November 17, 1944 Killed in Action in Werth, Germany William B. Haufschild, Jr. was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Haufschild, Sr. on January 10, 1916, in Arlington, South Dakota. He had three sisters, Opal, Elizabeth, and Ella as well as five brothers: Herbert, Erwin, Fred, Lynn and Ross. William attended Hetland High School, but before graduating, he left and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and there spent 6 months at Fort Meade. Afterwards he then returned to his hometown and continued farming with his father. He took several electrical courses by mail, and soon afterward became a local mechanic for a time, until he started his own farm. Mr. Haufschild was inducted into the army December 3, 1941. He completed his basic training at Camp Roberts in California, and then was sent on to Camp Brunswick in Georgia, Camp Van Dorn in Mississippi, and Fort George Meade in Maryland. In April of 1944, Sgt. Haufschild was sent to England and from there was active in the invasion of France and Belgium as a tank commander. On November 17, 1944, while engaged in the mission of seizing the town of Hastenrath, Germany, Sergeant William Haufschild was killed in action. He was, however, first reported as missing in action in the telegram and a subsequent letter to William’s father dated December 8, 1944. On May 5, 1945, William’s sister, Ella, received a letter from the headquarters of the 33rd Armored Regiment, answering her request for further information. The letter stated, in part: Your brother, William, who joined the regiment on 7 August 1944, was a tank commander. On 17 November 1944, his company was part of a task force engaged on the mission of seizing the town of Hastenrath, Germany. At the outskirts of the town of Werth, Germany, his tank was knocked out by the fire of enemy anti-tank guns. He, along with other members of his company, was organized to fight on foot as infantry after their tanks had been knocked out. During the ensuing bitter fighting later on in the day the group became surrounded and William became a fatality. It is not known whether his death was caused by artillery or small arms fire. During all of your brother’s service as a member of this organization, he was part of the First United States Army. The grave of your brother is in Henri Chapelle #1 American Military Cemetery, Belgium… William B. Haufschild was later permanently buried at Plot F, Row 9, Grave 16, Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. At the time of his death, William was survived by his parents and his siblings. He was a brave soldier for his country and his honor is undeniable. This entry is respectfully submitted by Meghan Byrum, Spearfish High School, in Spearfish, South Dakota. Information for this profile was provided by Fred Haufschild, brother, and Wilma Haufschild, sister-in-law, of William Haufschild, Jr.