CPL William Charles Merk

courtesy of Historical Passion

CPL William Charles Merk was born 13 Feb 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of the 3 sons born to Joseph Frank and Mary Elizabeth (Ems) Merk. His father was a an operator/motorman for the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC) and reported a 1939 income of $4000 which was quite good for the time. At the same time William's 2 older brothers were working as bakery assistants and each reported 1939 incomes of $1100.

When William was drafted in January 1943 he had completed 3-years of high school and was working as a clerk. After his initial training he was sent to the European theater. On 7 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to M Company 116th Infantry where he was to serve as a machinegunner. CPL Merk was killed in action on 31 Aug 1944.

CPL Merk was repatriated and re-interred in the Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey.

Williams brothers also served in the Army during the war.