A Small-Town Boy with Big Courage
William Earl Guilford was born on June 8, 1925, the son of Harvey and Mrs. Guilford. He grew up in Centralia, Kansas, a tight-knit community in Nemaha County. Known to his friends and family as “Earl,” he was remembered as a bright and promising young man. In the spring of 1943, he graduated from Centralia High School, where he was listed under his middle name, “Earl,” in the commencement announcements. His graduation came in the shadow of World War II, and like many of his generation, he didn’t wait long to serve his country.
Answering the Call to Duty
Shortly after turning 18 in June 1943, William registered with the Nemaha County draft board. On August 10, 1943, he reported to Fort Leavenworth for a physical examination and was accepted into the U.S. Army. After a brief furlough home, he and fellow Centralia resident Harry Meers returned to Leavenworth on August 19 to begin their military service.
William began his basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas, a major infantry replacement training center. By September 1943, he had completed his initial training and received further instruction in Maryland. In March 1944, his parents received a cable confirming his safe arrival overseas in the European Theater.
Into the Fire: Serving with the 1st Infantry Division
Private Guilford was assigned to the famed 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed “The Big Red One.” By April 1944, he was writing to his family from the trenches in France, as Allied forces pushed eastward following the D-Day invasion.
The 1st Infantry Division was one of the first American units to fight its way across France and reach the German border. In September 1944, the division played a critical role in breaching the Siegfried Line, Germany’s heavily fortified western defense, and launched the assault on the city of Aachen, the first major German city targeted by the Allies.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
On September 16, 1944, during the intense fighting near Aachen, Private William Earl Guilford was killed in action. He was only 19 years old. His family received official notification of his death in October, along with a posthumous Purple Heart.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a personal citation honoring Guilford’s sacrifice, stating:
“He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die, that freedom might live and grow… Freedom lives, and through it, he lives — in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.”
A Family’s Double Loss
William’s death was a devastating blow to the Guilford family, who had already suffered the tragic loss of another son, George Edgar Guilford, in 1942. George was a cadet midshipman in the U.S. Maritime Service and was lost at sea when the SS LaSalle went missing in the Pacific with all hands aboard on September 26, 1942. He was just 21 years old.
George was posthumously awarded the Mariner’s Medal, making the Guilford family one of only a few in Kansas to have lost two sons in World War II, each receiving national honors.
Homecoming and Tribute
In December 1944, William’s body was returned to Centralia, and the community gathered to pay their respects in a solemn graveside service with full military honors. The Centralia American Legion took charge of the ceremony, underscoring the local pride and sorrow felt over the loss of one of their own.
His parents, who had since moved to Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, returned for the service. Sadly, his mother passed away not long after, leaving behind the legacy of a mother who had given both her sons in service to their country.
Legacy of Honor
Private William Earl Guilford’s life was short but marked by courage, patriotism, and sacrifice. He is remembered not just as a soldier, but as a son, a brother, a classmate, and a symbol of a generation that bore the weight of global conflict with quiet resolve.
His name lives on in the records of the 1st Infantry Division, in the hearts of the Centralia community, and in the honored roll of Purple Heart recipients who gave all for freedom.
SOURCES:
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 army
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.
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) 12 Aug 1943, page 2
— Courier Tribune (Seneca KS) 16 Aug 1943 page 1
11/9/23, 7:43 AM William Earl Guilford – Heartland Genealogy
https://heartlandgenealogy.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/william-earl-guilford/ 2/4
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.
Centralia
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford also received a cable of the safe arrival of
their son, Pvt. Earl Guilford.
Centralia
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford also received word from their son, Earl. He
was in the trenches in France.
Centralia
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford received further word that their son, Pvt.
Earl Guilford, was killed September 16, in Germany
According to the History of the First Infantry Division (William Guilford’s unit),
— Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 2 Sep 1943, page 2
— Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 6 Mar 1944, page 4
— Courier-Tribune (Seneca, KS) 17 Apr 1944, page 4
— Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 13 Jul 1944 page 6
— Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 12 Oct 1944, page 6
11/9/23, 7:43 AM William Earl Guilford – Heartland Genealogy
https://heartlandgenealogy.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/william-earl-guilford/ 3/4
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.
Private William Guilford’s body was shipped home and buried in Centralia, Kansas.
Centralia to Have Soldier Service
For Private William E. Guilford
— Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 4 Dec 1944, page 6
11/9/23, 7:43 AM William Earl Guilford – Heartland Genealogy
https://heartlandgenealogy.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/william-earl-guilford/ 4/4
Heartland Genealogy Blog at WordPress.com.
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.