William R. Mulcrone

The grave of Cpl. William R. Mulcrone in Gettysburg National Cemetery

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

WWII veteran who was killed in action during the Korean War

Place of Birth:

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Date of Birth:

September 7, 1918

Place of Death:

South Korea

Date of Death:

September 6, 1950

Place of Burial:

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Cemetery Name:

Gettysburg National Cemetery

Section 2, Row 5, Grave 49

When the United States went to war in Korea in 1950, just five years had passed since the end of World War II. There were many who had fought against fascism and tyranny in Europe and the Pacific who once again answered their country's call and took up arms, fighting this time against Communist forces on the Korean peninsula. William Mulcrone was one of them.

A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, William Mulcrone was born on September 7, 1918, as the First World War was coming to an end. He was one of six children born to Joseph and Sevilla Mulcrone. 

By the 1940 Census, William was on his own. He was 21, had graduated from Springfield High School, and was working as a laborer in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. His hometown was Ambler. 

When he registered for selective service in 1940, William was five feet eight inches tall and weighed 160 lbs. 

On March 13, 1941, William chose to enlisted in the U.S. Army, rather than potentially be drafted. He traveled to the larger city of Philadelphia to enlist. 

Once he joined up, William saw considerable action during World War II. He took part in the invasion of North Africa, Operation Torch. From North Africa, he fought in Italy, eventually making his way to western Europe and fighting in Germany during the war's closing months. On August 6, 1945, he was honorably discharged. 

After one year away from the army, William decided to re-enlist. In his second stint with the U.S. Army, William was sent to China and Japan, where he served with occupation forces. By 1950, he was serving in Company G of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. His unit was among those sent to Korea in the summer of 1950 to fight back against the North Korean invasion into South Korea.

Along with the rest of the U.S. and UN forces, William found himself fighting around the city of Pusan by September 1950. It was there on September 6--just one day shy of his thirty-second birthday, that Cpl. William R. Mulcrone was killed in action. He was hit by a North Korean "burp" gun and died from blood loss.

At the time of his death, he had served a total of seven years in the United States Army. Both of his parents were deceased, though he was survived by two brothers and two sisters. 

After his initial burial in Korea, William's remains were brought home to the United States. His family chose Gettysburg National Cemetery as his final resting place. He was interred there on September 5, 1951, almost one year to the day from his death in Korea.