William D. Ziler – Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press report

William D. Ziler, Colonel, United States Army (retired) died on July 30, 2002, at age 85. Don, as he was known, was born in Big Springs, Texas and was a life-long resident of El Paso except for thirty years in the military.

He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War and spent most of his military service in the Army Airborne. He was one of the planners of the famous Airborne Assault on the retaking of Corregidor Island in the Pacific during World War II. His overseas assignments included El Salvador, Panama, Japan and Turkey. He also served at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, in several capacities in the 82nd Airborne Division, 18th Airborne Corps and in Army Airborne Research and Development at Fort Monroe, Virginia.

He was a member of the 503rd Airborne RCT Association, The Retired Officers Association and the Cavalry Association. Awards and decorations he received included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutists Badge,
Commendation Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal.

Don is survived by his longtime friend, Ursula Cottle of El Paso; a brother, Doyle Ziler of Dell City; three daughters, Diane McConnell of Little Rock, Arkansas, Jeanie Calhoun of Roanoke, Virginia and Sally Ettlinger of Lincolnshire, Illinois; grandchildren, Darcy McConnell of San Antonio, Texas, Dan Morgan of Dallas, Texas, Katie Ettlinger, Jake Ettlinger and Kelsey Ettlinger, all of Chicago, Illinois; niece, Patty Attel of El Paso; nephew, Dnny Ziler and niece, Mary Fleming, both of Dell City and nephew, Jerry Ziler of El Paso.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, September 6, 2002 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

cib

Read our general and most popular articles

Leave a Comment

error: