PFC William Goodrich Niven

PFC William Goodrich Niven was born 12 Nov 1911 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to William Glentworth and Frances Griselda (Blassingham) Niven. His father had a truck farm outside of Washington but by 1940 was managing a farm for another and reported a 1939 income of $2000 for that work. The family owned home was valued at $4000 that same year.

William was working as a farm hand when he was drafted in April 1941. He was likely assigned to K Company 116th Infantry soon after that and participated with the unit in training at Fort Meade, Maryland and Camp Blanding, Florida before sailing for England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942. Once in England he would train with his unit for the amphibious landing which was planned as a part of the invasion of occupied northern France. He would then participate in that landing on 6 Jun 1944 and continue to fight with the unit until killed in action on 7 Aug 1944 near Vire, France. 

PFC Niven rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.