Cpl. William A. Bassi

How this story crossed my path

On November 6, 1944, Frank Klepper was killed by friendly fire in our municipality of Putte (find the story here). Six of his brothers in arms were also wounded in this accident. They were Corporal William A. Bassi, T/5 William E. Stireman, Private First Class James H. Swanson, Private First Class Martin I. Mueller, Private First Class Adam Valuchivich, and Private Herbert G. Bernard.

For their contribution to our freedom, I would also like to give these men the recognition they deserve. Here the story of Corporal William A. Bassi, a member of D Battery, 494th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.

Biography and Wartime Service

William Albert Bassi was born on March 18, 1912, in Galt, California, to Otillie and Emile Virgil Bassi. He grew up in in Modesto, California, where he attended school.

William Albert Bassi entered the service on May 12, 1942 in San Francisco, California and was part of the original men assigned to the 494th when it was formed in Iceland in 1942. Two years later, November 2, 1944 Bassi and the 494th AAA Gun Bn arrived in Putte, as part of operation 'Antwerp X'.

In the accident on November 6, 1944 which killed Frank Klepper, William Bassi suffered injuries to his head and neck from the shrapnel of the exploding 40mm shell. He was initially treated at the field hospital and then transferred to the 100th Evacuation Hospital, (in November 1944 located in the newly built preventorium in Pulderbos, where today the Rehabilitation Center for children and young people with medical problems is located) and later transferred to the 81st General Hospital in the UK.

On December 18, 1944, he transferred from the hospital to the Replacement system. However, it is unlikely he returned to the 494th or served in any combat or active duty with another unit. His discharge papers indicate he returned to the U.S. in April 1945, where he was honorably discharged on July 8, 1945, likely for medical reasons. His unit was listed as the 411th Anti-Aircraft Battalion.

William Albert Bassi married Barbara Olivia Stokes in Carson City, Nevada, on April 10, 1946, when he was 34 years old. He died on December 5, 1971. His wife Barbara Olivia Bassi died on May 8, 2001.

Gallery

click on the images to enlarge

Photo Paul Varner named by William Stireman, D Battery, 494th AAA Gun Battalion