WILLIAM D. GLYNN, CAPT, USMC

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
William Glynn '43

Date of birth: September 5, 1920

Date of death: July 26, 1944

Age: 23

Lucky Bag

From the 1943 Lucky Bag:

1943 Glynn LB.jpg

WILLIAM DONALD GLYNN

Haverhill, Massachusetts

With a broad Boston "A," a yankee twang on his tongue, and a twinkle in his eye that hinted of a rich New England humor, Bill came to follow his oldest love, the sea, from the Massachusetts sea coast. Just as his forefathers had spread their fame over the world as excellent seamen; so Bill spread his fame in these stately halls as a man who stood high in academics; a man who won the cinder course, and a man who was always welcomed at anybody's bull session. That old adage "To know is to love," went well with this young sailor, for he was loved and respected by all who knew his smile.


The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

1943 Glynn LB.jpg

WILLIAM DONALD GLYNN

Haverhill, Massachusetts

With a broad Boston "A," a yankee twang on his tongue, and a twinkle in his eye that hinted of a rich New England humor, Bill came to follow his oldest love, the sea, from the Massachusetts sea coast. Just as his forefathers had spread their fame over the world as excellent seamen; so Bill spread his fame in these stately halls as a man who stood high in academics; a man who won the cinder course, and a man who was always welcomed at anybody's bull session. That old adage "To know is to love," went well with this young sailor, for he was loved and respected by all who knew his smile.


The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

From Find A Grave:

William Donald Glynn is the son of Albert William Glynn and Rosetta Antoinette McDonald Glynn. He is their sixth child and third son.

He is the grandson of Albert James Glynn & Martha Ellen Young Glynn and William H. McDonald & Matilda Elizabeth Phillips McDonald.

He is the brother of Martha Ellen, Mary Natalie, Rose Agnes, Thomas Everett, Albert W., and Richard Albert.

Captain Glynn, a marine, attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and graduated in the class of 1943.

Captain Glynn lost his life during the fierce fighting in the course of the Battle of Guam. His remains were brought back to the United States and re-interred in the National Memorial of the Pacific in Section F Site 272 on March 11, 1949.

From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":

While serving as Commanding Officer, Co. °F", 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Bill led his company in the assault to return Guam to American control. As a result of enemy fire, he was fatally wounded on July 26, 1944. He is buried in the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Other Information

William graduated from Haverhill High School in 1938.

The Haverhill [Massachusetts] Marine Corps League has a "Captain William D. Glynn Detachment"; it was named for him in October 1944. His father, Albert W. Glynn, was the mayor of Haverhill for 11 years.

Photographs


Class of 1943

William is one of 85 members of the Class of 1943 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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