Life Member Featured in Times Article

My husband Eric and I have had the pleasure to speak with fellow Reese member William "Bill" McKenzie numerous times over the years about his extensive and honored military past. Eric being a fellow Army man and I myself, having been a History major in college, have spend countless hours researching and writing to different organizations to find out what other military honors Mr. Bill is eligible to receive. It was so refreshing for me on this Veteran's Day to open today's issue of the Carroll County Times and see a front page article featuring a "True American Hero" and Friend....

Finksburg veteran remembers tour of duty in Europe By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer

FINKSBURG — Valor. It may not be the word Finksburg resident William McKenzie would choose to define his life, but it's a word he's embodied for 86 years.

As one of the few remaining World War II veterans, McKenzie said he knows he's lucky to still be healthy. As he stared at his wall of awards that used to be hidden because he was too modest to show them off, he said he thinks about his three years in Patton's Third Army and he shakes his head in wonder.

And although he's highly decorated, since he was discharged in October 1945 McKenzie's been tight-lipped about his accomplishments. He said he's one of only 59 people to be awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross medal in the 80th Infantry Division during the war, but his family wasn't even aware of his distinction until they saw him in a TV interview.

The Distinguished Service Cross medal is the second highest honor people in the armed services can get. Only the Medal of Honor is higher.

"It sounds like you're bragging if you tell people [about your accomplishments], so unless someone asks me something, they don't know," he said. "I'm proud of it all, but no one knew."

Being low key is just part of his nature, but governments around the world have recognized his valor.
In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, McKenzie received a bronze star, a good conduct medal, several campaign and victory medals and the Croix de Guerre medal. The Croix de Guerre was awarded to him by Luxembourg. It's awarded to people who demonstrate acts of heroism in combat against enemy forces. McKenzie said the awards stem from his involvement in the Battle of the Bulge.

He said the Battle of Heiderscheid got his feet wet, but he earned his medals in Ringel, Luxembourg.
At the end of December in 1944, McKenzie was in a house with six other soldiers in Ringel when about
50 German troops started marching into town. McKenzie said when he heard them approaching, he starting shooting and was able to hold off the group. During the battle, McKenzie killed three soldiers, wounded five others and forced the rest to retreat. Sixteen of the Germans then surrendered to him.
Dreams of the fight used to torment McKenzie's sleep when he was younger, but he has convinced himself he had to act the way he did in order to survive.

"It was either us or them, and I'd prefer it wasn't me," he said. "If you saw someone coming at you with a gun, what are you going to do? They're not coming with white flags. "I wasn't trying to be a hero, I was just trying to stay alive."

Now, even in good health, McKenzie said it's depressing to watch the number of fellow veterans of the war dwindle, and lonely to see only two of his eight siblings are still living. He stays busy by collecting trains and building all types of models, but he questioned why he's been so lucky to still be alive.

"It makes you wonder why you're still the only one here," he said. "I only know of four guys in our company that are still alive."

But like in the war, when shells were exploding all around and bullets were whizzing past him, he figures there's a bigger plan. "It just seems like it wasn't my time to go," he said.

And on Veteran's Day, he'll attend a few ceremonies if he can. He said the day is special, even if it brings bittersweet memories, because it reminds him of his friends and fellow soldiers. "I'm glad to be considered in the [greatest generation], but there's more generations doing their bit, too," McKenzie said. "I'm proud to have been able to fight for the flag."

Reach staff writer Bryan Schutt at 410-857-7886 or bryan.schutt@carrollcountytimes.com

Timeline

Drafted in 1942: William McKenzie was drafted as a member of the 76th Infantry Division in October of 1942. After drilling in Wisconsin and Michigan, many soldiers in the 76th suffered frost bite or pneumonia, so he ended up being moved into the 80th Infantry Division.

Arrived in Europe in July 1944: The Queen Mary transported him across the Atlantic Ocean in July 1944 and he quickly became a man of many tasks. When the ship landed in Scotland, he was commissioned to help unload. Once finished, he took a train to catch up with Company H, a heavy weapons division. After being inspected by superiors, the small-framed, roughly five-and-a-half-foot tall McKenzie became a messenger because he'd be too small to man the 80 mm mortars or .31-caliber machine guns. The division stayed in England for about a month he said, until it crossed the English Channel and landed on Omaha Beach.

August 1944: "I landed on Omaha beach about two months after D-Day and Germans were still shelling the beach," McKenzie said. "When we were training there were no live shells and it's a different thing when that first explosion goes off. It scares you … but you got used to it, you had to."

Late summer 1944-May 1945: Then, they trekked across Europe. The division crossed France then broke through into Belgium and relieved the 101st Division in Bastogne. McKenzie and his division then crossed into Germany and finally marched into Austria, where he was when the war ended.
During his time, McKenzie said, he went through a stint of 105 days of fighting without a break.