Sgt William G. Fournier
U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division, 35th Infantry Regiment, Company M
 Background
William Grant Fournier was born June 21, 1913 in Norwich, CT. He attended grammer school and worked as a driver.
On September 12, 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army with serial number 11014123 at Winterport, Maine and was assigned to the Territory of Hawaii. Assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (25th ID) "Tropic Lightning", 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti", Company M.
Wartime History
On January 10, 1943 at Sea Horse near Mount Austen on Guadalcanal, Fournier and T/5 Lewis Hall rushed to man an idle machine gun. While Hall raised the gun, Fournier opened fire until both were Killed in Action (KIA). Later, both earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
Awards
On June 5, 1943 Fournier and Hall earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He also earned the Purple Heart, posthumously.
Medal of Honor Citation, Posthumous (G.O. No.: 28, 5 June 1943)
 Citation: "For gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. As leader of a machinegun section charged with the protection of other battalion units, his group was attacked by a superior number of Japanese, his gunner killed, his assistant gunner wounded, and an adjoining guncrew put out of action. Ordered to withdraw from this hazardous position, Sgt. Fournier refused to retire but rushed forward to the idle gun and, with the aid of another soldier who joined him [Lewis Hall], held up the machinegun by the tripod to increase its field action. They opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. While so engaged both these gallant soldiers were killed, but their sturdy defensive was a decisive factor in the following success of the attacking battalion. |
Memorials
Fournier is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Puchbowl) at section C, site 462 the grave includes a gold inlay with the Medal of Honor.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William G. Fournier
NARA U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files -
William G. Fournier
FindAGrave -
William Grant Fournier (photo, grave photo)
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