PFC. WILLIAM R. COOPER

“Bill” Cooper arrived in England in 1944 with the 83rd Infantry Division. While in England, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division put on a demonstration of their abilities for a group of high ranking officers. All division members would be used, which meant that headquarters would have no one to cover telephone communications. Bill was assigned the task. After this experience with the 101st, he knew he wanted to be transferred to their unit and was eventually assigned to the 2/327th as a bazooka man. He saw combat during Operation Market Garden and later in the Battle of the Bulge, receiving a Purple Heart after nearly losing his feet. “When I was loaded into the ambulance to head for a military hospital the medics took away from me anything that wasn't tied down.  The only thing they didn't get was a new jacket I had been issued and I wasn't about to let that go. I tried to keep my rifle, but they assured me I would never need it again.”

The souvenir glider fabric (showcased) came from ruins of an old castle in England. “I inspected the grounds of ruins and looking down I saw this "thing" on the ground and went down to look at it.  That thing was a glider, which had crashed and the fabric was in shreds.  I tore off that piece, put it into my billfold and that is where it remained until I sent it to you - sixty-five years later.” Bill also generously gifted his English-made 101st SSI patch (showcased) upon one of the many visits made to his home near Dayton, Ohio. Bill was active with the Airborne even in his late years, visiting Fort Campbell any chance he could. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 93, having lived a life that many would be proud of; thank you for your service & friendship, Mr. Cooper.