WILLIAM CHARLES
SUTTON b. May 29, 1918 d. Dec 20, 1944 Died of Wounds France
2nd Lt
1182015 Army 313th Field Artillery Battalion 80th Inf Div
Battery B
Buried Epinal American Cemetery, France
Parents: Thomas Henry & Catherine Frances
Sibling: Thomas J., Patricia, James, Maureen
Spouse: Lt. Catherine E. Diehl USANC
Thomas, born in Ohio, was an accountant. In 1920 he
worked for a motor company but by 1930 was a debt collector at the IRS. A hard
job at any time, think what it entailed during the Depression. The family rented
comfortable looking homes in neighborhoods of early 20th century bungalow
style houses. Now those houses are gone. In 1920 Grandfather Sutton, born in England,
lived with the family.
William was the oldest child, graduated from
Redford in 1940 and enlisted in the Field Artillery National Guard. 6’ 140 lbs
with blue eyes and brown hair he got his commission May 13, 1943. Both his
brothers were in the Army Air Forces.
He married Lt. Catherine E. Diehl of Wisconsin Jan
4, 1944. She was in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp. In the early 1950’s she worked as
a nurse in Madison, Wisc.
The 313th Battalion sailed to England on
the Queen Mary July 1944. The 80th Div landed on Utah Beach in
Normandy Aug 3, 1944 when they were able to see the carnage of war from the
D-Day landing. That carnage was beaches littered with boats and vehicles, dead
bodies from both sides evidence of booby trapped fences. Then they made their
way through France heading to the Moselle River. The division enjoyed a
Thanksgiving dinner on Nov 23. The Morning Report for Battery B on Nov. 26
lists location as 100 yards northeast of Laudrefang, close to St. Avold. William
was wounded Nov 24, 1944; when he died of his wounds Dec 20, the Battle of the Bulge
had started.
The following account is an oral history taken from Robert T. Gholson also in 313th Field
Artillery Battalion, Battery B. It provides a good account along with maps and photos.
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