British army veteran Bill Gladden, a survivor of D-Day who had a bullet wound on his ankle, passed away at 100 years old. Gladden had a wish to return to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day celebrations in honor of his fallen comrades. The dwindling number of World War II veterans, like Gladden, has made it increasingly challenging for survivors to attend memorial events associated with the war. Gladden, despite his cancer diagnosis, was determined to make the journey to Normandy to take part in the ceremonies.
Bill Gladden joined the army at 18 and was a member of the 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment as a motorcycle dispatch rider. On D-Day, Gladden landed behind enemy lines in a wooden glider carrying six motorcycles and a tank. His unit was responsible for securing bridges for Allied forces moving inland from the beaches. Throughout the war, Gladden conducted reconnaissance missions and was involved in several battles, including one where he retrieved wounded soldiers from a makeshift field hospital after being hit by machine gun fire two days prior.
Gladden did not lose his leg from his injury but spent three years in the hospital for surgeries and treatment. After the war, he married Marie Warne and worked for Siemens and Pearl Insurance for 40 years. His devotion to his fellow soldiers led him to regularly visit battlefields in Normandy and the Netherlands with other veterans through the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. Gladden’s gentle nature and love for wartime songs were remembered fondly by his comrades.
He chronicled his wartime experiences in a scrapbook, which included memorabilia like a piece of parachute silk and his unit’s shoulder insignia. Gladden had a desire to return to Normandy to honor his fallen comrades, particularly the ones he carried into a barn as wounded soldiers. Gladden’s family believes that he is now with his comrades paying his respects in person. Despite his passing, Gladden’s legacy lives on through his wartime stories and the memories shared by family and friends.
As the number of World War II veterans continues to decrease, commemorations like the D-Day ceremonies become historic opportunities to honor the sacrifices of those who fought in the war. Bill Gladden’s determination to attend the 80th-anniversary celebrations in Normandy despite his illness and age serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who served during World War II. His commitment to honoring his comrades and paying his respects exemplifies the courage and resilience of the Greatest Generation. Gladden’s legacy lives on through the memories of his wartime experiences and the impact he had on those who knew and loved him.
