PVT William Melvin Conner (WWII)


Remembering PVT William Melvin Conner (Fairmont/Millersville)

November 9, 1906 - November 26, 1944

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"Still water runs deep" -1925 East Fairmont High School Orion Yearbook

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PVT William Melvin Conner (Service #35760940) was born in Fairmont, WV on November 9, 1906, the son of Charles and Anne/Annese (Drake)
Conner. City directories show their family living at 418 Diamond Street (1911 City Directory) and 217 Merchant Street (1913 City Directory) while Charles worked as a brakeman, before moving to Millersville to work as a car repairman for the B&O (first noted in the 1917 City Directory). Anna died sometime between 1913 and 1918.

On October 14, 1918, when William was close to 12 years old, his uncle PVT Thomas Melvin Conner was killed in service during WWI.

Their family remained in Millersville, and 1920 found Charles and William living with Charles' dad and brother (1920 Census). 

Education:

William attended East Fairmont High School, and graduated in the class of 1925. A note beside William's yearbook photo reads "Still water runs deep." He was on the class team, and participated in a musical comedy called "Springtime." In the Senior Class "Will," where seniors "left" qualities to underclassmen,  it said "William Connors wills his love of books and studies to Ray Dumire." The "Senior Bureau of Information" said that his nickname was "Feinie," his hobby was football, and his strong point was his "hands." 

After graduating from EFHS in 1925, William went on to attend Fairmont State Normal School for two years. During his short time at FSNS, he was a member of the football team (1926 Mound, pg 106) and Young Men's Christian Association (1926 Mound, pg 91)

Life after Fairmont State:

In 1930, Charles was working as "retail confectionary merchant," with William as his salesman (1930 Census). Unfortunately, Charles died of apopolexy and chronic interstitial nephritis (kidney disease) on December 16, 1936. 

William got a job working at Owens-Illinois as a glassworker (1939 City Directory, 1940 Census, 1943 City Directory, Draft Card).

On October 10, 1940, William married Elizabeth Ann "Betty" O'Donnell in Danville, Virginia.

Military Service:

William entered the draft on October 16, 1940. He was 6'1" and 180 lbs, with blue eyes, blonde hair, and light skin. Almost 3 years later, on September 8, 1943, William enlisted in Clarksburg, WV.

PVT William Melvin Conner was a member of the 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.

William was killed by a bullet in action on November 26, 1944, as his unit worked their way through France as part of Operation Dragoon.

The 36th's role in Italy and France:

"On 25 May, the Division landed at Anzio, drove north to capture Velletri, 1 June, and entered Rome on the 5th. Pushing up from Rome, the 36th encountered sharp resistance at Magliano, but reached Piombino, 26 June, before moving back to Paestum for rest and rehabilitation.

On 15 August, the Division made another assault landing against light opposition in the Raphael Frejus area of Southern France. A lightning dash opened the Rhone River Valley. Montelimar fell, 28 August, and large Nazi units were trapped. The 36th advanced to the Moselle River at Remiremont and the foothills of the Vosges. In a grinding offensive, the Division crossed the Meurthe River, breached the Ste. Marie Pass and burst into the Alsatian Plains." (ArmyDivs)

Interesting note: The 36th was amongst divisions that trained at Seneca Rocks to prepare for fighting in Italy, but it's unclear if William would have taken part in that training. You can learn more here: https://blueridgecountry.com/newsstand/magazine/the-blue-ridge-plays-sicily-1943/

Survivors and Legacy:

PVT William Melvin Conner is interred at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in France. 

He is also honored on the "Marion County Veterans Killed in Action" Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV, and at the  West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 

PVT William Melvin Conner was survived by his wife, Betty. They did not have any children.

Sources and More Information:

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