This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sheila Rae Myers, HM3
to remember
Mahler, William Albert, Jr., CAPT.
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Contact Info
Home Town Piitsburgh, PA
Last Address Pittsburgh, PA
Date of Passing May 16, 1989
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 2 3397-8
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
William Mahler was born in 1908. He never knew his mother, but he described his father as wonderful and acted as both father and mother. From a young age, he wanted to be a priest. His reason was that he and the other kids really admired one of the priests who taught at their school, although he didn't describe what that meant in detail. His thinking was "when I grow up, I want to be like him".
His civilian duties were interuptted when he decided to join the Navy and minister to the soldiers and sailors. Other than his service during heavy fighting, probably the most notable thing he did while in the Navy was to write the dedication prayer for the sunken USS Arizona. That prayer can still be seen at the memorial.
He continued as a priest when he was discharged from the Navy. He was also interested in literature and wrote essays and poems.
Other Comments:
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Central Pacific Campaign (1941-43)
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
December / 1943
Description The war in the Central Pacific (7 December 1941 to 6 December 1943) began with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Six months later an AAF task force took part in the Battle of Midway, in which a great Japanese fleet was defeated. But another year and a half elapsed before American forces began an offensive against Japanese positions in the Central Pacific. It was then, on 20 November 1943, that landings were made in the Gilberts, on Makin and Tarawa, with the Marines at the latter place becoming engaged in one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
