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| Bronze Star recipient Pfc. Perry Willis served with the 27th Infantry Regiment in Okinawa. "Okinawa: The Last Battle" by Roy E. Appleman https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29586398/perry-van_doran-willis |
Perry Van Doran Willis never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on June 9, 1918 in Kansas. His parents Lawson and Emma were born in Iowa and Nebraska, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. Perry had two older sisters, one older brother, one younger brother, and two younger sisters. By 1940 Perry had completed eight years of school and was working as a farmer while living at home.
He was drafted into the army on October 21, 1941. He became a private first class in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. The 165th IR fought at Makin Island in November 1943 and Saipan in June 1944. It's last campaign was Okinawa in April 1945.
On April 19, 1945, the 27th ID was brought to the front to help clear out the "Item Pocket." Within three days Company K had lost half of its strength, a result of facing an enemy in great defensive positions connected with honeycombed tunnels. It would take the better part of a week for the Americans to finish off the Japanese defenders. Pfc. Willis was most likely wounded during this fighting and he died on April 30, 1945.
During his service, Pfc. Willis was awarded the Bronze Star. I don't have any information or a citation about this.
His grave is at Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman, Nebraska.
Last year on this date I profiled Ralph Gibson, 2nd Infantry Division. You can read about Ralph here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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