William Eugene "Bud" Norton was born in Little Sandusky, Ohio on January 19, 1923. He was the son of Lewis Abner and Gladys (Swihart) Norton. By 1940 the family had moved to Marion, Ohio where William was working as a painter for Huber Mfg., along with a brother and their father.

William enlisted in the Army on February 11, 1943. He was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana for his training. He was a medic in the 2nd Infantry Division, 23rd Infantry Regiment, H.Q. Company. He was present with his regiment in the northern shoulder of the Ardennes around Elesenborn Ridge near the town of St. Vith during the "Battle of the Bulge", where the 2nd Infantry Division held off repeated German Attacks. In January 1945 the U.S. forces started their offensive against the retreating German Army. The 23rd Infantry Regiment was temporarily assigned to the 1st Infantry Division to attack German units near the town of Ondenval on January 16.. William was wounded in the abdomen by shrapnel from mortar fire from German Paratroopers the 2nd Battalion was facing. On January 19, 1945 PFC William E. "Bud" Norton died of wounds received in action.

My grandmother stated they recieved a telegram that said "Bud" had been wounded, so they started to prepare the house in order to take care of him. The next day another telegram came that said there was a mistake and that William had died of his wounds.

William Eugene Norton was my great uncle.