PGRNY Completed Missions

Honor Mission

Harold E. Williams

US Army
WWII Veteran

Multi-City, NY - 05/25/2023

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 4, Region 5

About the Mission:

The family of Harold E. Williams has requested Patriot Guard Riders participation in his military honors funeral services. Mr. Williams, passed on Monday, May 22, 2023.

During the Great Depression, Mr. Williams dropped out of eighth grade and went to work to help his family financially. He worked in farm fields, in a mill, and at the Watervliet Arsenal before he enlisted in the Army in 1942. He served as a radio operator and forward observer with the 62nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. He was among the 160,000 Allied troops who landed on Normandy beaches. He landed in the first wave under heavy enemy fire on Omaha Beach.

Before Normandy, Williams had fought in North Africa and Tunisia and invaded Sicily. After Normandy, Mr. Williams went to Ardennes for the Battle of the Bulge. He participated in the strategically important battles of the Hertgen Forest and Eisenhorn Ridge, where his unit destroyed 40 German tanks. He later fought at Leipzig before deploying to Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Williams’ was honorably discharged at the rank of Technician 5th Class, and for his service, was awarded the American Theatre Campaign Medal, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of France Certificate and Army Occupation - Germany.  In 2022, he was inducted into the state Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. He was recognized during a ceremony at the state Capitol in Albany for his meritorious military and civilian service.

There is no obituary available at this time.

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

05/25/2023 at 09:15am

Staging Location:

Clearview C & MA Church
275 Schodack Drive
Schodack, NY  12037
Click here for map

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Ray Sestak - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:

Updated 8 March 2022

Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.

Special Information:

Staging at the church with a flag line for arrival of the cortege and the dignified transfer. Church service scheduled for 10:00 am.  Escort to Woodlawn Cemetery, 3372-3386 Route 203, Valatie, NY to follow.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

no

Submitted by:

Ray Sestak

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.