William D. Cargill as born April 13, 1919 in Whigs Corners, NY to James Ira Cargill (1887-1977) from New York and Clara Emma Dow (1890-1978) from Pennsylvania. His parents were married on June 15, 1911 in Broome County, NY.  The 1920 U.S. Census records the family on Whig Corners Road near present day Cooperstown, NY. His father worked on a farm. The 1930 US Census recorded he had a brother Charles and three sisters, Marquerite Edna Cargill Payne (1917-1996), Kathryn and Mary Melinda Cargill Barrett (1925-1989). By 1930 the entire family had moved to 59 Miller St. in nearby Oneonta, NY., where his dad found work as a carpenter for the “Steamrail road” (D&H Railroad).

William attended Oneonta High School for two years. His enlistment papers indicate he was employed as a brakeman for the D&H Railroad when he joined the NY National Guard on May 10, 1937. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. As is the case for all Oneonta, NY National Guard, he was assigned to Company G. 10th Infantry. He lived at 82 River St. in Oneonta, NY by this time. He married Hazel Virginia Newell, who attended High School for only one year in 1938. By 1940, the U.S. Census records him and Hazel lived at 22 Eighth St., Oneonta, NY and he drove a taxi. They had two children, Roger William in 1940 and Wayne Deforrest in 1943. Roger eventually joins the Air Force and serves in Vietnam. Hazel eventually remarries and lives until 2017.

William entered the Army on June 15, 1944 all of 5'-11" tall and 145 pounds.  He had brown eyes and brown hair. He obtained the rank of Sgt. and trained at Camp Croft, S.C. and was sent overseas on December 8, 1944. He served in Company F, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division and saw action in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. According to military records he was killed around Hildesheim, Rhineland, Germany on March 9, 1945. At the time of his death, the 22nd Infantry was performing “mop-up” and occupation duties in Germany and VE Day was only two short months away.

In September 1948 the Oneonta, NY Chapter of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen unveiled their World War II memorial in the local park. Pfc Cargill's widow and two sons were present at the unveiling. His family was given a medal by the Brotherhood in recognition of his sacrifice given in World War II. The inscription on medal states, "For Service in the World War For Liberty And For Freedom of Nations."

Sgt. Cargill was buried in the US Military Cemetery # 1, Foy, Belgium and in 1949 was returned to the States for burial in Plains Cemetery, Oneonta, Otsego, New York, Lot #1591, with full military honors. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and Honorable Service Lapel Button.

If you notice anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact Jim Greenberg at nez13820@gmail.com. 

Sources

22nd Infantry Regiment (United States),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22nd_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States), accessed July 23, 2022.

Ceremonies Mark Dedication of BRT Memorial, The Oneonta Star, Sept. 24, 1948, pg. 8

History of Camp Croft, accessed at https://www.sas.usace.army.mil/Missions/Formerly-Used-Defense-Sites/Camp-Croft/, July 23, 2022.

Marriage Records. New York Marriages. Various New York County Clerk offices. 

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147

New York State Archives; Albany, New York; Collection: New York, New York National Guard Service Cards, 1917-1954; Series: B2001; Film Number: 4

Oneonta Gold Star Registry, City of Oneonta, in the Oneonta History Center, Main St. Oneonta, NY.

The Echo, Oneonta High School’s student newspaper, in the collection at the Oneonta History Center, Main St., Oneonta, NY.

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147 

"U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954" database with images Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/publication/1088/us-wwii-hospital-admission card-files-1942-1954: accessed October 21, 2022)

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26492990/william-deforrest-cargill: accessed 02 March 2023), memorial page for William Deforrest Cargill (13 Apr 1919–9 Mar 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 26492990, citing Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta, Otsego County, New York, USA; Maintained by Ty (contributor 47685689). 

Year: 1920; Census Place: Manhattan Assembly District 11, New York, New York; Roll: T625_1205; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 822

Year: 1930; Census Place: Oneonta, Otsego, New York; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0036; FHL microfilm: 2341370

Year: 1940; Census Place: Oneonta, Otsego, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02717; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 39-32

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