William B. Fulmer Jr.

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Serial: O-524744
Company M, 3rd Battalion, 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division

Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: July 6, 1944
Buried at: Oakland Cemetery
Adams and Ramona Avenues
Philadelphia PA 19104

Awards: Purple Heart

Introduction

Second Lieutenant William Bernard Fulmer Jr. was born on June 6, 1919. His father was the chief statistician for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia. As a youth he lived at 1104 Stokes Avenue in Collingswood NJ, and he was a 1937 graduate of Collingswood High School, where he played three years of football and was an honors graduate. Known as Bernard, “Bud,” and “Atlas,” he won a $500 athletic scholarship to Staunton Military Academy in Staunton VA. At Staunton he set a Virginia State record for the javelin. After graduating from Staunton in 1939, he was an Honors appointee to West Point. He passed the mental examination, but failed an eye test. William Bernard Fulmer then completed his degree in chemistry at Michigan State University on an ROTC scholarship, in March of 1943.

On April 1, 1943 Fulmer reported for active duty, and was sent to Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning GA. He graduated on July 1 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was then sent to the Method of Training School at Fort Wheeler GA. Lt. Fulmer was asked twice if he would stay on at either school as an instructor. He refused, and requested combat duty.

In September of 1943 he was sent to Camp Breckenridge KY, where he was assigned to a heavy weapons platoon in the 83rd Infantry Division. He shipped out with his unit via Fort Devens MA for England in May of 1944. He was killed on July 6, 1944 near Coulette, France, while leading his men along a hedgerow during the hedgerow fighting in Normandy.

Lieutenant Fulmer was buried at the St. Mère Église Cemetery #2. His body was returned to the United States in the spring of 1949. He was buried at Oakland cemetery in Philadelphia PA on May 21, 1949, where he rests by his father, who passed six months later, on November 21, 1949.

Drowned in Pool

Camden Courier-Post — Summer 1941

Body of Boy, 14, Found at Farnham Park; Rescue Squad Fights to Restore Life

An unidentified boy, about 14, was found on the bottom of the county park pool at Farnham Park near Camden High School this afternoon, lying in 12 feet of water.

The rescue squad from Camden fire headquarters, Fifth and Arc streets, worked on the boy for an hour, and although there were no signs of life, they refused to give up.

The body was discovered shortly before 4 p. m. by John Schapowal, 12, of 643 North Seventh street, Philadelphia, who was diving for stones. John notified Joseph Diamond, 20, of 2215 River Avenue, a life guard, who called to William Fulmer, 22, of 1104 Stokes Avenue, Collingswood, another life guard. The two life guards recovered the body.

While the guards applied artificial respiration, the police and fire department were notified and brought additional resuscitation apparatus.