Braden entered service on 2 December 1942 at Grand Island, Nebraska.
He arrived in France in August 1944 as a member of Co. "D", 104th Timberwolf Division and was assigned to Hodge's 1st Army. William saw action in Belgium and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action November 1944 with clusters added later. He was killed in action while scouting to cross the Ruhr River in the drive on Cologne, Germany on 23 February 1945. His rank at the time of his death was Staff Sergeant. He was first interred in Plot PPP, Row 3, Grave 52 in the U.S. Military Cemetery at Henri-Chappell, Belgium. His body was returned on the transport Robert Burns and final burial services with full military honors was held at Perryman Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa on 10 December 1947 with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak. A letter from one of his closest friends to Bill's father and mother after his death praised him as one of the best men in their platoon. He reported that Bill had proved over and over what a valuable man he was and he was given command over a section of guns which increased his command to 16 men. He took the duties of a 2nd Lieutenant since they could not get replacements. The men never failed to listen to Bill and were thankful to have him around. His brother, Clyde, was also killed in action and a double memorial service was held for them at the Christian Church in Red Oak, Iowa on 25 March 1945.
He arrived in France in August 1944 as a member of Co. "D", 104th Timberwolf Division and was assigned to Hodge's 1st Army. William saw action in Belgium and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action November 1944 with clusters added later. He was killed in action while scouting to cross the Ruhr River in the drive on Cologne, Germany on 23 February 1945. His rank at the time of his death was Staff Sergeant. He was first interred in Plot PPP, Row 3, Grave 52 in the U.S. Military Cemetery at Henri-Chappell, Belgium. His body was returned on the transport Robert Burns and final burial services with full military honors was held at Perryman Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa on 10 December 1947 with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak. A letter from one of his closest friends to Bill's father and mother after his death praised him as one of the best men in their platoon. He reported that Bill had proved over and over what a valuable man he was and he was given command over a section of guns which increased his command to 16 men. He took the duties of a 2nd Lieutenant since they could not get replacements. The men never failed to listen to Bill and were thankful to have him around. His brother, Clyde, was also killed in action and a double memorial service was held for them at the Christian Church in Red Oak, Iowa on 25 March 1945.
Braden entered service on 2 December 1942 at Grand Island, Nebraska.
He arrived in France in August 1944 as a member of Co. "D", 104th Timberwolf Division and was assigned to Hodge's 1st Army. William saw action in Belgium and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action November 1944 with clusters added later. He was killed in action while scouting to cross the Ruhr River in the drive on Cologne, Germany on 23 February 1945. His rank at the time of his death was Staff Sergeant. He was first interred in Plot PPP, Row 3, Grave 52 in the U.S. Military Cemetery at Henri-Chappell, Belgium. His body was returned on the transport Robert Burns and final burial services with full military honors was held at Perryman Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa on 10 December 1947 with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak. A letter from one of his closest friends to Bill's father and mother after his death praised him as one of the best men in their platoon. He reported that Bill had proved over and over what a valuable man he was and he was given command over a section of guns which increased his command to 16 men. He took the duties of a 2nd Lieutenant since they could not get replacements. The men never failed to listen to Bill and were thankful to have him around. His brother, Clyde, was also killed in action and a double memorial service was held for them at the Christian Church in Red Oak, Iowa on 25 March 1945.
He arrived in France in August 1944 as a member of Co. "D", 104th Timberwolf Division and was assigned to Hodge's 1st Army. William saw action in Belgium and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action November 1944 with clusters added later. He was killed in action while scouting to cross the Ruhr River in the drive on Cologne, Germany on 23 February 1945. His rank at the time of his death was Staff Sergeant. He was first interred in Plot PPP, Row 3, Grave 52 in the U.S. Military Cemetery at Henri-Chappell, Belgium. His body was returned on the transport Robert Burns and final burial services with full military honors was held at Perryman Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa on 10 December 1947 with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak. A letter from one of his closest friends to Bill's father and mother after his death praised him as one of the best men in their platoon. He reported that Bill had proved over and over what a valuable man he was and he was given command over a section of guns which increased his command to 16 men. He took the duties of a 2nd Lieutenant since they could not get replacements. The men never failed to listen to Bill and were thankful to have him around. His brother, Clyde, was also killed in action and a double memorial service was held for them at the Christian Church in Red Oak, Iowa on 25 March 1945.
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SSGT, US ARMY WORLD WAR II
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