Lang, William A.

Description

William A. Lang

William Alexander Lang was born Nov. 22, 1925, in Glasgow, Scotland, to Alex Campbell Lang and May Little Lang. He moved to the United States as a child with his family, and grew up on Manursing Island in Rye. He attended Rye public schools.

William enlisted February 11, 1944 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Pfc. Lang, was with General Patch’s US 7th Army in Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge, the Seventh Army extended its flanks to take over much of the Third Army area which allowed the Third to relieve surrounded U.S. forces at Bastogne. Along with the French First Army, the Seventh went on the offensive in February of 1945 and eliminated the enemy pocket in the Colmar area.

Pfc. Lang Gets Purple Heart
The Purple Heart was received by Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Lang, Westchester Beach Club, Manursing Island, just as they were preparing to leave for the Blood Bank last Saturday The award was made to their son, Pfc. William A. Lang, who is with General Patchs 7th Army in Germany. Unaware that their son had been wounded in action, the Langs were surprised to receive the Purple Heart, but set out for the Blood Bank all the more determined to donate their blood. Pfc. Lang also received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge at the time that he was promoted to private first class. He tried to join the Marines two years ago while a student at Rye High School. On his eighteenth birthday he enlisted in the Army. He is now nineteen.

April 20, 1945 THE RYE CHRONICLE

William lived in Rye for many years before moving to White Plains. His marriage to Sheila O’Malley ended in divorce. A retired painter, he worked at the Cardinal McCloskey Home and several other places in White Plains, as well as New York City.

His daughter, Nancy M. Lang Rye Brook, said he was an accomplished artist and enjoyed drawing, using various mediums. An Army veteran of World War II, he served in Germany, France and Italy, and received the Purple Heart in the Battle of the Bulge.

William Alexander Lang, a former resident of Rye, died Tuesday January 2, 1996, at his home in White Plains. He was 70.

At the time of his death, other survivors included his daughter, Cynthia C. Dougherty of Cos Cob, Conn.; a son, William G. Lang of Cornwall, N.Y.; brother, Alex C. Lang of Rye; and one granddaughter. W.H. Graham Funeral Home in Rye is handling arrangements. Family and friends are making memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society Westchester Division, 2 Lyon Place, White Plains, N.Y.