William Goodwin Potter - U.S.M.C.

[Thurman]

William Goodwin Potter, formerly of Danvers, age 95, died peacefully at home on April 10, 2017. Husband of Mary Theresa Potter who predeceased him, he was the son of the late William G. and Margaret Potter. Born in Salem, Bill graduated from Salem High School in 1939. He worked as a life guard at Forest River Park, was active at the Salem YMCA and hiked and skied in the White Mountains. Before volunteering for military service with the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII, Bill was on the track team and graduated from Boston College in 1943 and, upon completion of his military service, he graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1948. He served as a USMC paratrooper in the Pacific Theater before being reassigned to the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment which led the invasion of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. Military history. The 5th Marine Division sustained the highest casualty rate among the 3 Marine divisions involved in the invasion, and Bill received the Purple Heart for wounds he received there. He also received the Presidential Unit citation, the Asiatic Pacific theater citation and the National defense and service awards for his military service. Bill was recalled to active duty service during the Korean conflict and was assigned to Camp Le jeune, NC. Bill ended his military service with the rank of Major.

REST IN PEACE!

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