About
William Charles Ackerknecht was born in Albany, New York, on March 21, 1925. By 1930, he was residing in Schenectady with his family. William graduated from Albany Academy in 1943. He was a member of the Warren Literary Society, the Dramatics Club, the Glee Club, and the swing band. Before joining the military, William was a Cornell University pre-med student.
In March 1944, William enlisted in the United States Army. He held the rank of Private First Class and served with the 121st Infantry Division, 8th Infantry Division. William was killed on December 7, 1944, after volunteering to replace another soldier on a reconnaissance mission during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. He is buried in Vale Cemetery, Schenectady, New York.
Sources: The Albany NY Times Union, Find A Grave, Ancestry
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
For the Fallen
Laurence Binyon