In Memory of
Private First Class
William Story Neilan
Bonesteel, South Dakota
Gregory County
November 16, 1910 – January 15, 1945
Alacon, Luzon, Philippine Islands

William Story Neilan

William Story Neilan was born in Bonesteel, South Dakota on November 16, 1910. His parents were Edward Michael Neilan and Anne Ringlend Neilan. He had 11 siblings Martin, Mayne, Edward Jr., Frank, Clarence, Joy, Paul, Florence, Melvin, June, and Beulah. William’s parents named him after a man named William Story. He was Bonesteel’s veterinarian surgeon and also a teacher in the school. Since there was no doctor in the Bonesteel area, William Story took the job upon himself. William attended school at Pleasant View School District #27. At home he enjoyed farming. He worked in CCC camp in the Black Hills. He farmed for Art Jones and C. E. Titus for several years until he was drafted.

William didn’t get any more education but he did get Army training. He was married to Belva E. Titus on July 8, 1943, in Springfield, Mo. Together they had a daughter named Belva Jean. William attended the Assembly of God Church in Bonesteel. When Belva Jean was five weeks old she was dedicated to the Lord in this church. On July 5, 1943, William had to return to the Army and that was the last time his family saw him.

William was drafted into the army June 18, 1941. He was honorably discharged October 25, 1941, because he was over the age of 29. He was called back January 19, 1942, to Fort Leonard Wood near Springfield, Mo. He served as an Army Specialty Rifleman. He was sent overseas to the South Pacific where he was stationed at Alacon, Luzon, in the Philippine Islands. He was in company E, Sixty Third Infantry.

William Story Neilan was killed on January 15, 1945. Chaplain Robert H. Warren wrote to Mrs. Belva Neilan saying,

"Your husband was killed on January 15. Company E was under attack by enemy artillery fire. Your husband was unfortunate enough to receive a direct hit in his hole. He was killed instantly, however, and there was no suffering involved. I understand that Chaplain Swyert, who was with the battalion at the time, buried your husband temporarily, conducted a funeral service at the grave. Later his body was disinterred and now reposes in the U. S. Army Cemetery at San Fabian, on the Island of Luzon P. I. A Protestant Chaplain who was present conducted another service when his body was buried in the Army cemetery."

On September 28, 1949, his body was moved to the Golden State National Cemetery at San Bruno, California. William was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, for exemplary conduct in action in the face of the enemy, and the Purple Heart.

A letter to Mrs. Neilan June 5, 1945, from friend Warren Kensey said,

"You and that baby meant more to Bill that anything else in the world. He was awfully proud of his family."

Robert H. Warren, Chaplin 63rd Infantry, wrote to Mrs. Neilan saying,

"He was, as you said, a fine Christian boy. He was also a good soldier and is deeply missed by the men and officers of his unit."

Mrs. Neilan received a letter from a friend of William’s named Don Yockey. He wrote,

"I knew your husband very well as I was in the same infantry with him. I found his body the morning following the Jap attack. He died trying to repel."

Survivors at the time of the William’s death were his parents, all of his siblings, except for Beulah who died as an infant, his wife Belva, and his daughter Belva Jean. Current survivors are William’s sister June, wife Belva, daughter Belva Jean, her husband Waylen Wakefield, three grandchildren: Suzanne and her husband Matt Leone, William Wakefield, and John Wakefield. Also there are two great-grandchildren Mathew and Michael Leone.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Michael Wollman and Amanda Faatz, sophomores, Bonesteel-Fairfax High School, Bonesteel, South Dakota, April 17, 2002. Belva DeFord, Lakewood, California, widow of Private First class William Story Neilan, provided information for this entry.