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| Tech Sgt. William Masters earned the Distinguished Service Cross while serving with the 90th Infantry Division in Germany.
William Wayne Masters never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
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William was born on May 12, 1920 in Somervell, Texas. His parents Walter and Ida were also born in Texas. His father worked as a farmer and later as a car man for a railroad company. William had an older brother and sister, four younger sisters, and a younger brother.
He enlisted in the US Army in October 1937 and married the former Charlie McPherson on 31 December 1941 in Houston, Texas. William served in the 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, of the U.S. Third Army. The 90th ID was activated at Camp Barkeley, Texas on 26 March 1942, where Sgt. Masters was one of the original cadre of non-commissioned officers.
The 90th ID, known as the “Tough ‘Ombres”, deployed to England 5 April 1944, and trained from 10 April to 4 June 1944. First elements of the division saw action on D-Day, 6 June, on Utah Beach, Normandy, the remainder entering combat 10 June. Over the next five months the 90th ID fought its way across France to the German border and crossed the Saar River into Germany on 6 December 1944. On 21 March 1945, TSgt Masters' unit was in action against enemy forces in an assault against Bretzenheim, Germany. His courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the US Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
His citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant William W. Masters (ASN: 6285081), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 21 March 1945.
On that date, during an assault against Bretzenheim, Germany, Sergeant Masters' platoon was pinned down by intense enemy machine gun fire.
Accompanied by an automatic rifleman, Sergeant Masters started forward to silence the gun. The rifleman was hit but the intrepid Sergeant continued on alone, worming his way forward under a hail of fire. He hurled a hand grenade into the enemy position and killed the gunner, killed the assistant gunner when he attempted to take over the gun and the noncommissioned officer in charge when he tried to rally his men. Leaderless and demoralized by Sergeant Masters' bold assault the rest of the enemy crew surrendered to him.
Sergeant Masters' heroic action permitted his platoon to advance and seize the town. Technical Sergeant Masters' fearless determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
After taking Mainz, Germany on 22 March, the 90th Infantry Division crossed the rivers Rhine, the Main, and the Werra in rapid succession. On 3 April 1945, elements of the 90th ID assaulted the town of Vacha, Germany. TSgt. Masters was shot and killed by a sniper just as the battle was nearing an end.
William Wayne Masters is buried in South Park Cemetery, Pearland, Texas and is also memorialized in Georges Creek Cemetery, Georges Creek, Texas. I was unable to find any information on his widow.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero Verlis Felkins of the 1st Cavalry Division. You can read about Verlis here.
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