William Leon Carey Jr., was born in 1922 to William Leon Carey and Ida M. Harple Carey who lived in West Chester, Pennsylvania.  His father was a World War I veteran and worked as a fireman (one who feeds coal into the steam locomotives) for the Pennsylvania Railroad and was a member of Holy Trinity Church in West Chester.  He moved his family to Phoenixville in 1923 when he obtained work as a steam locomotive engineer for the Upper Merion and Plymouth Railroad, operated by the Alan Wood Steel Company.

William Jr. was the only son of four children including sisters Mazie, Ethyl, and Patricia.

William attended the Phoenixville High School, then located on Nutt St., where the Phoenixville Hospital stands today. He took the schools General Study Program and played basketball his 2^nd year, baseball 2^nd and 3^rd years, intramural sports his 2^nd, Hi-Y Club 2^nd, Bingo Part his 4^th year.

The Yearbook writes: “Bud is lured by those most blood curdling mysteries by Street and Smith”

The Yearbook describes William: “Bud is lured by those most blood curdling mysteries by Street and Smith”

William graduated with the Class of 1940 and obtained employment with Phoenixville Iron Company, and later with Thomas Sturges, plumber. 

He was a member of the First Methodist Church

William entered service in the Army on October 15, 1942, and received training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, as part of the newly activated 85^th Custer Division.  He then received advanced training at Shreveport, Louisiana, Camp Pilot Knob, and Camp Cooks Comb, both in California, and Fort Dix, New Jersey.   William married Florence Smiley of Kimberton.  While he was away in service, she resided with her parents.

William was sent overseas December 24, 1943, to  North Africa where he received a Good Conduct ribbon and African Campaign ribbon ribbon with combat star.   He served with the 82^nd Custer Division, part of the Fifth Army, the same Division that Hero Hero Leroy Barnes served.

The 85th was the second all draftee division to enter combat during World War II. The Division was activated at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in the spring of 1942.  The Division received advanced training in the swamps of Louisiana, and Desert Training in Camp Pilot Knob and Camp Cooks Comb in California. Then he was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey.

William’s division arrived overseas at Casablanca French Morocco, arriving in North Africa January 2, 1944.  They received amphibious training in Algeria from February to March. They arrived in Naples on March 28th.   The division was sent north of the Garigliano River to defend against the  GUSTAV Line, The GUSTAV Line was a German heavily fortified defensive line south of Rome which virtually grounded the Allied forces to a halt. William was wounded in his leg by shrapnel on April 2nd.

On May 11^th the Division launched its attack against the GUSTAV Line.

Private First Class William Leon Carey Jr. was Killed In Action on May 12, 1944 in Italy.