Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
O.
Wooldridge
1922-08-12

–

2012-03-05

Born:

Shawnee

, 

Oklahoma

Home:

Fort Worth

, 

Texas

Buried: 

El Paso

, 

Texas

Cemetery:

Fort Bliss National Cemetery

Enlisting in the Army in 1940, William Wooldridge earned two Silver Stars in World War II, and served a tour of duty during the Vietnam War as well. He was the first Sergeant Major of the Army from 1962 to 1968, and retired in 1972. Upon his retirement he became the first enlisted Soldier since the beginning of World War II to be awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal. He died March 5, 2012 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant Major

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    December 1958 – January 1965
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 35 (October 27, 1965)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Sergeant Major William O. Wooldridge (ASN: RA-18037917), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with the 24th Infantry Division and subsequently as Sergeant Major of the Army from December 1958 to January 1965. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Major Wooldridge and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to Sergeant Major Wooldridge for meritorious service during the period 23 December 1958 to 9 January 1965 as announced in General Orders Number 16, Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, dated 20 January 1965.]

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    26th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    December 20, 1944
    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 103 (June 10, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William O. Wooldridge (ASN: RA-18037917), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Belgium, on 20 December 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    26th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 15, 1944
    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3 (January 3, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William O. Wooldridge (ASN: RA-18037917), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Achen, Germany, on 15 October 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant Major of the Army

    Action Date:

    July 1966 – July 1968
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 44 (August 22, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Sergeant Major of the Army William O. Wooldridge (ASN: RA-18037917), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Sergeant Major of the Army, during the period from July 1966 through July 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Major Wooldridge culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.