William Lee Hite was born on 4 February 1920 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, the son of Jasper Sevier Hite and Charlcy Mallissa Trivette.
William called Fall Branch, Washington County, Tennessee home. He attended Fall Branch High School and worked at the Tennessee Eastman Corporation in Kingsport prior to enlisting. William enlisted in the United States Army on 19 January 1942 at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He did his basic and advanced training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; and Fort Dix, New Jersey prior to shipping out to England with the 4th Infantry Division.
Staff Sergeant Hite along with the 4th Infantry Divison were the first units on 6 June 1944; D-Day to step foot on Utah Beach. He participated in two Unit Campaigns: Normandy and Northern France. William was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions.
Buried Logans Chapel Cemetery, Fall Branch, Washington County, Tennessee
Staff Sergeant, 4th Infantry Division
The Kingsport Times 21 and 27 August 1944
Staff Sergeant William Lee Hite, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Hite, Fall Branch, was killed in action in France, July 26, 1944, according to a message received by his parents. Sergeant Hite, who entered service January 19, 1942, received his training at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Camp Wheeler, Ga., Fort Jackson, S.C. and Fort Dix, N.J. He has been overseas since January 1944. He attended Fall Branch High School and was employed at Tennessee Eastman Corporation before entering service.
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 4 February 1920
- Date of death: 26 July 1944
- County: Washington
- Hometown: Fall Branch
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: Fourth Infantry Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: D-Day
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Logans Chapel Cemetery, Fall Branch, Washington County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor William L. Hite Jr.
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