William Clinton Alford – Harrodsburg Tanker

William Clinton Alford

Master Sergeant

Mstr. Sgt. William Clinton Alford (Harrodsburg Tankers Survivor, WW II) 1921–2006 BIRTH 1 OCT 1921 • Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky, United States of America DEATH 14 JAN 2006 • Hospice Comfort Care, Ithaca, Tompkins, New York; Buried at Grove Cemetery Trumansburg, Tompkins County, New York, USA MEMORIAL ID.101615719 Highest Grade Completed; High School, 2nd year Attended School or College; Yes He was not employed. (He was married with 2 daughters and 1 son.)

He was ... “associated with the Chevrolet dealership in Trumansburg (Ithaca, New York) for 27 years”

William C. Alford BIRTH, 1 Oct 1921, Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky, USA DEATH, 14 Jan 2006 (aged 84), Trumansburg, Tompkins County, New York, USA BURIAL, Grove Cemetery, Trumansburg, Tompkins County, New York, USA MEMORIAL ID, 101615719 WILLIAM C. ALFORD

TRUMANSBURG - William C. Alford of 4380 West Seneca Rd, Trumansburg, passed away at Hospice Comfort Care in Ithaca on Saturday, January 14, 2006 at the age of 84. Born on October 1, 1921 in Danville, Kentucky, Bill was the son of the late George and Sadie (Miller) Alford. After attending high school in Burgin, Kentucky, he enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard in July, 1939 and was inducted into federal service in November, 1940 along with the National Guard Company stationed at Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Bill served four years overseas with the 192nd Tank Battalion and was taken prisoner by the Japanese in April, 1942. After surviving the Bataan Death March and 3 1/2 years as a prisoner of war, he returned to his home in Kentucky after the war. For his military service he received several awards and citations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Presidential Citation. Bill was a life member of the Arthur E. Bouton American Legion Post #770 in Trumansburg, V.F.W. Post #961 in Ithaca, DAV NY2 and the A.D.B.C.Bill attained the rank of Master Sergeant and was discharged in 1946.

He later moved to Trumansburg, where he was associated with the Chevrolet dealership in Trumansburg for 27 years. In addition to his wife Mary (Jackie) of 60 years, Bill is survived by one son, David (Helen) Alford of Trumansburg; one daughter, Judy (Chester) Houseworth of Ithaca; two granddaughters, Sarah Tomborelli of Trumansburg and Melissa Hamrick in the U.S. Navy, Virginia Beach, VA; two grandsons, Brian and Lucas Houseworth of Ithaca; three great-grandchildren, Devon, Katlyn and Lauren Hamrick; three step-grandchildren, Russell, Wayne and Laurie Weaver; two brothers, Robert(Frances) Alford of Harrodsburg, KY and John (Ollie) Alford of Harrodsburg, KY; one sister, Nancy (Fritz) McElfresh of Danville, KY; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Graveside services, with full military honors, will be scheduled and announced in the spring of 2006. In keeping with Bill's wishes, no public calling hours have been scheduled. The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg.

Inscription M SGT US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
PURPLE HEART
192ND TK BN

Sergeant William Clinton Alford joined the Harrodsburg National Guard unit in July 1939 at the age of 17. He was assigned to the Battalion Headquarters reconnaissance platoon. He became a prisoner of war on April 9, 1942 and began the 29 Death March at Mariveles. At San Fernando they were put on a train to Capas and was marched to Camp O'Donnell. He was sent on a work detail back to Bataan to cut up scrap metal and six months later to a motor pool in Manila and eventually to Cabanatuan #1. He was put aboard the Hell Ship Canadian Inventor and eventually arrived in Moji, Japan where he was sent to Fukuoka #5 where he worked in a coal mine. Alford arrived in San Francisco on November 2, 1945. He later moved to New York state. He died on January 14, 2006.

Sergeant William Clinton Alford joined the Harrodsburg National Guard unit in July 1939 at the age of 17. He was assigned to the Battalion Headquarters reconnaissance platoon. He became a prisoner of war on April 9, 1942 and began the 29 Death March at Mariveles.

At San Fernando they were put on a train to Capas and was marched to Camp O'Donnell. He was sent on a work detail back to Bataan to cut up scrap metal and six months later to a motor pool in Manila and eventually to Cabanatuan #1. He was put aboard the Hell Ship Canadian Inventor and eventually arrived in Moji, Japan where he was sent to Fukuoka #5 where he worked in a coal mine. Alford arrived in San Francisco on November 2, 1945. He later moved to New York state. He died on January 14, 2006.