William Winfield Colgan (1924-1944) joined the Navy one month before his graduation from Carteret High School, Carteret, New Jersey, in June of 1942. He became a Hospital Corpsman, and served with the Marines in the Pacific. Before reaching his 21st birthday, he was killed on Peleliu while saving the lives of wounded Marines in one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific campaign. He was buried October 13, 1944 in Peleliu Armed Forces Cemetery #1, grave #182, section 4.
To see the medals and ribbons awarded to this brave 20 year old American Hero, and to read a brief tribute to William Colgan written by his sister Shirley (Colgan) Goodwyne, you can click here.
Thank God for giving us such men as William Colgan. R. I.P.
