Briefing Document: William Wallace Chambers

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Biographical Overview of William Wallace Chambers

Source: Excerpts from Pasted Text (provided)

Executive Summary: This document provides a biographical overview of William Wallace Chambers, a young man from Brown County, Texas, who served and died in World War II. The text traces his life from his birth in 1915 through his military service and ultimate death in action in New Guinea in 1943. It also details his repatriation and reinterment in Texas after the war.

Key Themes and Information:

Early Life and Family:

Birth and Family: William Wallace Chambers was born on December 19, 1915, in May, Brown County, Texas. His parents were Mary Alice Spence and William Raleigh Chambers.

Family Size: He grew up in a large family with three brothers and two sisters.

Community Roots: The family resided in Brown County, Texas, throughout William’s youth, as indicated by the 1920 and 1930 census records.

Education: He graduated from May High School and attended A&M College (likely Texas A&M University).

Pre-War Life and Military Enlistment:

Work: He was employed by McKee Construction in Brownwood, Texas, before the war and prior to that was a farm hand.

Draft Registration: He registered for the draft in Brownwood, Texas, on October 16, 1940. His father was listed as his next of kin contact.

Quote: "...registered for the draft at Brownwood, Brown County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living in May and working for McKee Construction in Brownwood and listed his father of May as his next of kin contact."

Enlistment: He enlisted in the US Army as a private at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, on October 11, 1941. He was described as a single white male, a Texas native born in 1915, and a resident of Brown County, with four years of high school education.

Quote: "William W. Chambers asn-38069290 a single white male born Texas in 1915 residing in Brown County, Texas working as a farm hand with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas on 11 October 1941."

Military Service and Death:

Unit: He was assigned to A Company, 163rd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division.

Quote: "Private First Class William W. Chambers 38069290 US Army A Company 163rd Infantry Regiment 41st Infantry Division."

Theater of Operation: His regiment was involved in the fight for Port Moresby, New Guinea, participating in combat along the Sanananda track starting January 2, 1943.

Mission: The mission was to clear the Sanananda track, effectively closing the Papua Campaign.

Death in Action: Pfc Chambers was killed in action on January 15, 1943, during this mission.

Quote: "The 163rd entered the struggle for the defense of Port Moresby, New Guinea, at Dobadura on 2 January 1943 and fought continuously along the Sanananda track until the 22nd... Pfc Chambers was killed in action on 15 January 1943 as part of this important mission."

Initial Burial: He was initially buried in a temporary grave in New Guinea.

Post-War Repatriation and Reinterment:

Return to America: In 1948, his remains were repatriated to the United States.

Final Resting Place: He was reinterred in the Wolf Valley Cemetery in northern Brown County, Texas, on July 20, 1948.

Quote: "He was buried in a temporary grave there until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Wolf Valley Cemetery at northern Brown County, Texas on Tuesday 20 July 1948."

Key Facts:

Full Name: William Wallace Chambers

Date of Birth: December 19, 1915

Date of Death: January 15, 1943

Military Rank: Private First Class

Unit: A Company, 163rd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division

Location of Death: Sanananda track, New Guinea

Final Burial Location: Wolf Valley Cemetery, Brown County, Texas

Conclusion: William Wallace Chambers was a young man whose life was tragically cut short during World War II. His story reflects the broader experiences of many young Americans who served in the conflict. The provided text paints a picture of a life rooted in rural Texas, followed by military service and ultimate sacrifice in a far-off land. The fact of his return home for a final burial demonstrates the importance of honoring the fallen.