William Shepherd
| Date and Place of Birth: | December 24, 1906 Helena, MT |
| Date and Place of Death: | June 9, 1944 Biak Island, New Guinea |
| Baseball Experience: | Semi-Pro |
| Position: | First Base |
| Rank: | Private First Class |
| Military Unit: | 116th Medical Battalion, 41st Infantry Division US Army |
| Area Served: | Pacific Theater of Operations |
Popular Young Man and Ball Star Dies in Action
Helena Independent-Record – June 26, 1944
William J. Shepherd, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Shepherd, was
born in Helena, Montana on December 24, 1906. Shepherd, who attended
Helena schools and graduated from Carroll College in 1925, was a star first
baseman with Webster Cigars of the Helena City baseball league. He was
described by the Helena Independent-Record as “one of the popular Sixth
ward boys who helped keep athletics alive in Helena.”
Shepherd entered military service in 1941 and served in the Pacific with
the 116th Medical Battalion of the 41st Infantry Division. Private First
Class Shepherd was killed in action on June 9, 1944, during the 41st
Division's bloodiest engagement on the island of Biak, off New Guinea's
coast.
He is buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Helena, Montana.
Grave of Pfc Wlliam J. Shepherd at Resurrection Cemetery in Helena, MT
Sources:
Helena Daily Independent – June 6, 1929
Helena Independent-Record – June 26, 1944
Date Added May 1, 2013
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