William Louis Van Cleaf
Graduating
Class of 1942
Served in
World War II
First Lieutenant
William Louis Van Cleaf
Army
50th Infantry Battalion
6th Armored Division
Hometown
West Allis, WI
Date of Birth
Location of Death
France
Date of Death
Location of Burial
Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, France
More About First Lieutenant Van Cleaf
First Lieutenant Van Cleaf was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. On Nov. 19, 1944, Task Force 15 reinforced with Company C, 50th Armored Infantry Battalion moved out over Route N 74. An attack to seize the hill immediately east of Bertring was driven back by extremely heavy enemy mortar fire. Company C overcame enemy resistance and seized intact a bridge across the Nied-Francaise River. That bridge permitted the continued advance of the 6th Armored Division. Company C, 50th Armored Infantry Battalion had suffered four killed and 22 wounded.