Short Narrative
William Earl Guilford: A Young Hero’s Sacrifice
William Earl Guilford was born on June 8, 1925, and graduated from Centralia High School in 1943. Soon after turning 18, he answered his country’s call, reporting for Army duty in August 1943. After basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas, and further training in Maryland, he joined the 1st Infantry Division in Europe.
By September 1944, his division was fighting on the German frontier, helping to breach the Siegfried Line and leading the attack on Aachen. On September 16, 1944, at just 19 years old, William was killed in action in Germany.
Posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, he is remembered as a brave young soldier who gave his life for freedom. His family’s sacrifice was deepened by the earlier loss of his brother, George, in 1942. William now rests in Centralia, Kansas, honored by his community and country.
Long Narrative
William Earl Guilford: A Life of Service and Sacrifice
William Earl Guilford was born on June 8, 1925, to Harvey and Mrs. Guilford. Known locally as “Earl,” he graduated from Centralia High School on May 17, 1943. Just after turning 18 in June, he dutifully registered with the Nemaha County draft board and was called for military service that summer.
On August 10, 1943, Earl reported to Fort Leavenworth for his physical examination and, after passing, was granted a brief furlough to say goodbye to family and friends. By early September, he officially entered active duty and began basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas. He later advanced to further training in Maryland before being deployed overseas.
By March 1944, Earl had safely arrived in Europe. Writing home, he shared that he was serving in the trenches in France, offering his family a small comfort during a time of great worry. Earl was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, famously known as “The Big Red One,” which played a pivotal role in the Allied advance into Germany.
In September 1944, the 1st Infantry Division reached the German frontier and breached the formidable Siegfried Line. The division then spearheaded the attack on Aachen, the first German city targeted for capture by Allied forces. On September 16, 1944, during these fierce battles near Aachen, Private William Earl Guilford was killed in action at just 19 years old.
The loss of Earl was a devastating blow to the Guilford family, who had already suffered the loss of his older brother, George Edgar Guilford. George, a cadet midshipman in the Maritime Service, was lost at sea in the Pacific in 1942. The brothers’ shared sacrifice symbolized the profound cost of war to families across the nation.
In recognition of his bravery, William Earl Guilford was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. President Franklin D. Roosevelt honored him in a citation, praising his courage and declaring that “freedom lives, and through it, he lives — in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.”
In December 1944, the community of Centralia gathered to pay tribute to their fallen son. His body was returned home and laid to rest with full military honors, a solemn reminder of the price of freedom.
Today, William Earl Guilford is remembered not only for his ultimate sacrifice but also for his unwavering dedication to his country. His legacy lives on as an enduring testament to the courage and commitment of young Americans who answered the call to serve.
Sources
Purple Heart Recipient
William Earl Guilford was born on June 8, 1925, and graduated from Centralia High School in 1943. Soon after, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas, he served with the 1st Infantry Division. By September 1944, his unit had reached the German frontier, where they were involved in the attack on Aachen. Guilford was killed in action on September 16, 1944, in Germany. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. His family endured further loss as his brother, George Guilford, died in the Pacific in 1942
William Earl Guilford was listed as Earl Guilford as a graduate of Centralia high school on May 17, 1943. Having turned 18 in the month of June, William Earl Guilford registered with the Nemaha County draft board. Then in August, 1943,
Centralians in Service
Earl Guilford reported at Fort Leavenworth August 10 for physical examination for induction into the armyCourier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 12 Aug 1943, page 2
In the group which left Seneca for Fort Leavenworth August 10, all from Centralia passed the examination. Charles McGhee and Melvin Hochard were accepted into the navy, and will return for service Thursday August 19th. Earl Guilford and Harry Meers were accepted into the army and will have twenty-one days furlough before reporting for active services.Courier Tribune (Seneca KS) 16 Aug 1943 page 1
Centralians in Service
Earl Guilford and Harry Meers will report to Leavenworth Thursday for service in the army They have had their furlough and will go for training.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 2 Sep 1943, page 2
Centralians in Service
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford are enjoying a visit from their son, Pvt. Earl Guilford, who has completed his basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas and will report next week in Maryland for further training.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 6 Mar 1944, page 4
Centralia
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford also received a cable of the safe arrival of their son, Pvt. Earl Guilford.Courier-Tribune (Seneca, KS) 17 Apr 1944, page 4
Centralia
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford also received word from their son, Earl. He was in the trenches in France.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 13 Jul 1944 page 6
Centralia
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford received further word that their son, Pvt. Earl Guilford, was killed September 16, in GermanyCourier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 12 Oct 1944, page 6
According to the History of the First Infantry Division (William Guilford’s unit),
By September 1944, the 1st Infantry Division had reached the German frontier and breached the vaunted Siegfried Line. The division then led the attack to isolate and seize the city of Aachen, the first German city to fall to the Allied armies.
Citation Awarded by President Roosevelt
“In grateful memory of Private William Earl Guilford, 37538356, who died in the service of his country in the European area, on Sept. 16, 1944. He stands in the unbroken line of patriot who have dared to die, that freedom might live and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives — in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men. — Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States”
This citation was received by Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford last week. Also a citation from Henry L. Stimson, Sec. of war, that the Gov’t has awarded the Purple Heart to William Earl Guilford posthumously, to be received by the parents later. They also received the Mariner’s Medal last week which was awarded posthumously to their other con, Cadet Midshipman George Edgar Guilford, reported missing with all hands on his ship, the SS LaSalle, on Sept. 26, 1942. George is one of three Kansas awarded this medal. George was 21 years of age and Earl was 19.
It is with solemn pride that the people of Centralia community look upon these awards and realize at what cost to the Guilford family the offerings were laid upon the Altar of Liberty.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 4 Dec 1944, page 6
Private William Guilford’s body was shipped home and buried in Centralia, Kansas.
Centralia to Have Soldier Service
For Private William E. Guilford
The Centralia community, which was hit hard by war casualties, is to have a service for one of its honored dead Wednesday afternoon of this week. To be given full military honors will be the body of Private William E. Guilford.
The body will arrive in Centralia on the Wednesday morning train, and the service, to e at the graveside, will be at 2:00 in the afternoon, with Centralia American Legion in charge.
Private Guilford was born June 8, 1925. He served in the infantry and met death near Aachen, Germany, on September 6, 1944.
He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford, who lost two boys in the service, the other George E. Giilford, who was a cadet engineer n the Maritime service and was lost in the Pacific area in 1942.
The parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford, moved several yers ago to Sulphur Springs, Arkansas. Mrs. Guilford, mother of the two boys who gave their lives in service, died a year or so ago.
