June 1, 1924 (Norwalk, CT) – March 27, 1945; 20 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 3 St. John Street, East Norwalk
Enlisted September 18, 1942
Service number: 12143543
Unit: 1st Cavalry Division, 112th Cavalry, Troop E
Born to Ernest E. (1891-1981) and Anne Mills Marriott (1900-1969). Brother, Ernest E. Jr. (1923-2018) and sister Dorothy B. Marriott Cole (1927-2009).
Norwalk High School Yearbook, Class of ‘42
Killed in Luzon, Philippines. The 1st Cavalry Division was first into Manila in February 1945 following one of the most important actions of the war which is known as the “Flying Column”. The Division’s Troopers entered Manila and freed the internees at Santo Tomas University.
From The Norwalk Hour April 23, 1945
Private First Class William Marriott, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Marriott, 16 Emerson Street, was killed in action in Luzon on March 27. PFC Marriott entered the service on September 18, 1942 and after four months training in this country was sent to the Pacific area with a Cavalry unit. He is a graduate of Norwalk High School and was one of its best-known athletes. PFC Marriott took part in the invasion of the Philippines, fought at Admiralty Island, and the Luzon engagement where he met his death. He has a brother, Sergeant Ernest Marriott, who is overseas. Besides his parents and brother, PFC Marriott is survived by a sister, Bernice. Two days before notification of his death, his parents received a letter from him stating he was in good health and was feeling fine. He also sent his sister his lucky piece as he desired very much that she have it. His father is employed at the South Norwalk Electric Works and is a veteran of the First World War, having served with the Navy. PFC Marriott hadn’t been home since he entered the Army.
From The Norwalk Hour June 26, 1948
The body of Private First Class William F. Marriott, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Marriott of June Avenue, formerly of St. John’s Street, who paid the supreme sacrifice while fighting with American forces on Luzon Island in the Philippines on March 27, 1945, will be returned to Norwalk on Monday morning with a military escort of honor. Besides his parents, PFC Marriott is survived by a brother, Ernest E. Marriott Jr., and a sister, Dorothy B. Marriott, all of this city. Funeral services will be held at the Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street, at 2 P.M., Tuesday with Rev William Schroeder, rector of Christ Church, officiating. Interment will be in the family plot in Riverside Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded. The Frank C. Godfrey Post, American Legion, will conduct services at 8 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 10 P.M. on Monday. PFC Marriott was a native of Norwalk. He attended local schools and was graduated in 1942 from Norwalk High School. Two months after he graduated, PFC Marriott enlisted in the Army at recruiting headquarters, Whitehall, NY. He was Sent to Camp Upton, NY for basic training and then transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas, for training in the Cavalry. Four months later he was sent overseas to the Pacific Theater of Operations. He served in campaigns in New Caledonia and New Guinea with the battle-famed 112th Cavalry Division. This division was engaged in “island hopping” tactics to drive the Japanese out of areas they had previously taken. He was later sent to Manila and engaged in the terrific jungle fighting which American troops experienced in recovering the Philippines. He has much overseas services to his credit and was due to be sent home. It was while fighting in the mountains, trying to dislodge the Imperial Japanese troops dug in there for a last stand, that PFC Marriott gave his life for his country on March 27, 1945.
PFC Marriott is buried in Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, CT; Section 19. Photo by webmaster.
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