William George Enoch Sr.

SGT in 603rd Engineer Camouflage Bn : Co D

ASN#12046882 Casualty: Wounded

Born 1920 in NJ, Died 2020

County of residence at enlistment: Salem County, NJ

Other residence(s): New Brunswick, NJ; Edison, NJ

United States Army, European Theatre of Operations

Occupation before the war: semiskilled mechanics and repairmen, motor vehicles

Notes: Formerly HQ & Service Co; T/4 in June 1943; rank changed from CPL in GA roster to SGT per VFW tribute page and obituary; Purple Heart; GO #34, HQ SP TRS, 12th A Gp, 4 Apr 45. Enemy Action, 13 Mar 45. Pickard, Germany.

Source: 603rd Camouflage Engineer Roster provided by W. Anderson; Awards and Decorations; 603rd Engineer Battalion Christmas Roster; Bernie Mason Company D Roster; 603rd roster in Seymour Nussenbaum's scrapbook, June 1943

Bill Enoch was born on January 20, 1920 in New Brunswick, NJ. He was one of ten children, four of whom did not survive infancy.

At the time he registered for the draft on July 1, 1941, he was working for New Brunswick General Sheet Metal Works. He enlisted on February 2, 1942, listing his profession as auto mechanic/repairman.

He suffered two injuries during his tenure in the Ghost Army--he was hurt, and briefly hospitalized, in June 1944, when he was a passenger in a jeep accident. And he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Operation Bouzonville in March 1945. He was discharged from the service with the rank of Sgt., having served in the motor pool.

Both of his brothers also served in World War II--Russell was in the Air Force in Texas and France, and John served in the Pacific theatre.

Bill married Dorothy McNally on December 12, 1948; they had one son, WIlliam Enoch, Jr. and made their home in Edison, NJ. Bill was a sheet metal worker, and an active member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #20, for 40 years.

He was also very active in VFW Post #3117 in Edison. In the early years after the war he used his construction and mechanical expertise to help keep the post building and grounds in good condition. When the building finally reached a point where it was no longer salvageable, he worked with a group to spearhead the construction of a new building.

When Bill was 98, it was noted that he had NEVER missed a monthly Post meeting! That was the year after the Post named him the "Featured Veteran of the Quarter," in the 4th quarter of 2017.

VFW Post 3117 was a family affair for the Enochs. His brother John served as Commander of the Post for a time, and his sister Evelyn Keseleski was a life member of the Post's Ladies Auxiliary.

Bill was also a member of Post 435 of the American Legion, and a founder of The Military Order of Cooties Pup Tent #7--a service organization set up to help bedridden veterans.

On August 22, 2018, Bill was presented with a Proclamation from the Edison Township Council for his service.

He died in his sleep on December 22, 2020, at the age of 100, and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in New Brunswick. The Enoch siblings were blessed with long lives--his brother Russell lived to be 99, and three of his other siblings lived past 90.