William A. Branch was born on July 11, 1941, the only child of Margaret and Rusty Branch. His home of record is Belleville, NJ, although he was born in the rural South Georgia town of Fitzgerald. For high school, Bill attended the Georgia Military Academy located in Atlanta, GA. Afterwards, he attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA, where he obtained a degree in Military History. Bill had always wanted to be a soldier. He was also a political cartoonist.
In 1963, Branch entered the US Army and eventually attained the rank of Captain (CAPT). He served a combat tour in Vietnam from 1966 – 67 as an advisor with Team 86/99 of the 25th Infantry and then again from 1969 – 70 as Alpha Company commander of the 2/14th Infantry, 25th Division. Before he died, he became the S3 of the 2/14th.
Interviews with the men of Alpha Company reveal that he was “an enlisted man’s officer, always concerned for the safety of his men, easy to talk to, and creative in the way he gathered intelligence.”
Branch was killed in action on June 6,1970, just ten days before he was due to rotate home. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. He is buried in Ft. Benning, GA. He was survived by his wife, Judy, and a daughter, Jennifer.
Sources: Jennifer Branch Denard (daughter), Anthony Buccino (author) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
