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Dedication | World War II | Korea | Vietnam | History | Comments |
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 William
George Dorsheimer wwas
born in January 1924 to Francis H. and Bertha Michelgelder Dorsheimer. The
family lived at 517 South Hill Road, today Oak St. His father worked as a
shearer at Lukens Steel Company. His mother was from California, and her
father immigrated from Germany.
The family
later moved to a small farm in Ercidoun, a small community southwest of
Coatesville (in East Fallowfield Township). It was while living on the farm
that William’s brother was born when William was 16 years old. His brother
Francis was nicknamed “Pete.”
William was a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour at 5th and Chestnut Streets (later merged with the Trinity Lutheran Church, which then became the Church of the Good Shepard). This was the same church that hero William Lammey attended. William’s brother Pete remembers his family as very close knit. William took Pete to see cowboy movies at the Palace Theater on Main Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. He also took little Pete for pony rides on the farm, and rides in his cherished 1929 Chevrolet Sedan.. William attended local schools including the newly opened Coatesville S. Horace Scott High School on Stiring St. between 8th and 9th Avenues. He left to join the Army before graduation.
William enlisted in the Army Reserves on January 15, 1943. He was called to Active Duty on June 15th. William received basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Pete remembers a family trip to visit William at the Fort, and with a picnic lunch on the fort grounds.
William was then sent to train with the famed 10th Mountain Division and advanced training with ski troops at Camp Hale, and Camp Carson in Colorado. He was later reassigned to the 89th Infantry Division, 353rd Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company H, in Colorado. His Sergeant, Leonard Ratto from California, remembers William as quiet, very well liked, and always willing to help. He says William talked a lot about his family. Today he refers to William as the ‘little guy’ – William was 6 foot tall, Leonard was 6 foot 2 inches.
William received orders to ship out to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in June, 1944, to serve with Patton’s famed Fourth Armor Division. He asked his sergeant to write to his parents he was shipping out – otherwise it would be some time before they would receive a letter from him in Europe. Leonard did write the letter, and it was the first of a life long correspondence with the family. Leonard still kept in touch with his brother Pete.
Private William G. Dorsheimer Died Of Wounds in a hospital in England on April 8, 1945. He was wounded in action on December 5th in the battle for Saar-Union France, and suffered a compound skull fracture and broken jaw.
His parents received the telegram on Friday, April 20th. William was interned in a Military Cemetery in Cambridge, England.
Before his death, William asked his Sergeant, Leonard Ratto, to promise to write his parents. Leonard did, indeed corresponded with the family even to this day from his home in California.
William’s parents also received a letter from a fellow Private who wrote how William saved his life. He was severely wounded, and William stayed with him under heavy fire until help came
In 1948, William was disinterred to be returned for burial in his home country. Sergeant Pentz, served as military escort, accompanying the body in a government hearse from Philadelphia.
A large number of friends paid their respects at the Maclean’s Funeral Home at 5th Ave. and Main Street in Coatesville on Wednesday evening, July 21st. The Coatesville Sahler-Sedan VFW Post provided the Guard of Honor.
The funeral service occurred the following day at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Glenn G. Neuhaure, pastor of the Lutheran Church of our Saviour, officiating. Interment was at the Hephzibah Cemetery on Strasburg Road in East Fellowfield Township. VFW Post members served as pall bearers, including Michael Toth, brother of hero John Toth. Acting post commander Dennis Smith was in charge of the Military service. Taps were sounded, and a salute fired, rendering full military honors to William
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