The Early Years
(12 Jul 1921 -
27 Jan 1942)
Army Air Forces
(28 Jan 1942 -
1 Aug 1943)
Post Ploesti
(2 Aug 1943 -
Present)
Official MOH Citations:
Sgt. William G. Harrell
(William George Harrell - 26 Jun 1922 - 9 Aug 1964)
Seven Texas Aggie Medal of Honor Recipients
Sgt. William George Harrell was one of the seven men who had attended or graduated from Texas A&M University and who received the Medal of Honor in World War II. Every new Texas A&M cadet must learn their names. They are honored in the Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center and the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M University, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, USA.
The seven Texas Aggie Medal of Honor recipients are Hughes, Fowler, Keathley, Carswell, Leonard, Whiteley and Harrell.
 |
William George Harrell was the son of Roy Eugene Harrell and Hazel Marian Culber. Born 26 Jun 1922 in Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas, USA. Attended Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (later Texas A&M University) for two years - 1939 and 1941. Joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
|
|
|
Earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo Jima on 3 Mar 1945. Discharged on 9 Feb 1946 from the U.S. Marine Corps. Died on 9 Aug 1964 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
|
|
Honored on 1 Mar 1969 with the renaming of a Texas A&M University dormitory to William G. Harrell Hall.
|
|
 © David N. Lotz My thanks to David for permission to use his photograph. |
Buried on 11 Aug 1964 in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA. Inscription on grave marker: WILLIAM G HARRELL
|
 SGT. WILLIAM G. HARRELL '43 |
Honored on 27 Feb 1993 with the unveiling of a bas relief bronze plaque in the Corps of Cadets Center at Texas A&M University in College Station, Brazos County, Texas, USA.
|
 Photo by Jerry Cooper '63 |
William George Harrell's Medal of Honor is on loan to the Corps of Cadets Center at Texas A&M University and is currently on display there. On 29 May 2010, a Medal of Honor ceremony was held where members of the Harrell family presented the Medal of Honor to the Corps of Cadets Center. The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets covered the story. |
Sources:
- Ancestry.com
- Find A Grave - Harrell's Memorial
- Handbook of Texas Online
- Medal of Honor Citations
- Texas State Cemetery
- Texas A&M University Archives
- James R. Woodall, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
First published: October 8, 2008
Last updated: September 01, 2011
