PFC William Shepherd Tracy

 

courtesy of K Caton Locke

PFC William Shepherd Tracy was born 9 Jan 1911 in Wilton, Maine. He was the only child of Daniel Freeman and Luella Gertrude (Massie) Tracy. His father worked as a stone cutter and by 1930 the family lived in the home he owned on East Wilton Road which was valued at $3000. William started work as a truck driver later becoming a stone cutter like his father. He married Thelma Ardelia Partridge in August 1939. and the couple lived on Main Street in Wilton paying $10 a month rent while earning $360 as a truck driver in 1939. 

William was drafted in April 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater probably arriving in England in late June 1944. From there he went to France and to the replacement depot. PFC Tracy was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 18 Aug 1944 to serve as an ammunition handler. This was at the time that the regiment was beginning the attack on German forces in Brittany with the goal of liberating and securing Brest, France. He served with the unit through the campaign at Brest and into Germany. PFC Tracy was wounded on 14 Oct 1944 when he was shot in the leg and body. Evacuated to England he had to be put in traction in attempt to repair a femur. PFC Tracy died on 1 Nov 1944. 

PFC Tracy was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Lakeview Cemetery in Wilton, Maine.