2LT William Francis Quinlan

at St. Thomas Military Academy, St. Paul, MN

2LT William Francis Quinlan was born 16 Aug 1916 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the oldest of the 6 children born to William J. and Catharine (McMahon) Quinlan. His father worked in coal company founded by his grandfather. During young William's life he was first vice-president and then president of the firm. The family lived in a home at 5216 Wayne Avenue in Chicago which was valued at $6000 in 1940. William graduated Saint Thomas Military Academy in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

William enlisted in 1940. After his basic military training he was selected for officer candidate training. He married Karolyn J. Dalton, probably in early 1943. The couple would have a daughter born at Fort Benning, Georgia in December 1943. After that, William was sent to the European theater. 2LT Quinlan was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 20 Jun 1944. 2LT Quinlan was killed in action on 23 Jun 1944.

2LT Quinlan rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

His brother John D. Quinlan served in the U.S. Army.