Oral history of William Cato
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Drew Richard with Staff Sergeant William Cato on November 21, 2012. Born on April 2, 1921, Cato enlisted in the United States Army Infantry before turning 21, convincing his reluctant parents to sign his enlistment papers.
Cato recounts his deployment to England and his role in D-Day operations, landing as a replacement infantryman shortly after the invasion. He describes combat in France and Belgium pushing through the Siegfried Line and the Argonne, Hurtgen, and Black Forests. He was nearly court-martialed for firing on fellow soldiers after mistaking their movements for enemy signaling. He was wounded by enemy artillery while helping his fellow soldiers on his way off the front line leading to his evacuation to England and, eventually, his return to the United States.
2012-11-21