Ranger William A. Brackens – 1E, 4B, FSSF

27-Oct-2006

Passed away this morning, 27 October 2006, at the Gainesville, Florida Veterans Hospital.  He would have had his 82nd birthday November 24th had he lived one more month. He had his uniform and medals all ready for this years Veterans Day Parade. He thought it would be better than last years. He got to ride in the wagon, couldn't walk any more.

He was retired Army, SFC, Ranger, First Special Service Force (FSSF), served 24 years, 14 of them in Europe. He served from Africa to Rome, got a Purple heart in Italy, was on a hospital ship coming home on D-Day, served 2 tours in Korea another 5 years abroad. Yes, he was our Hero.