Cheeseman, William H. (1918-2014)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8638#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: William Cheeseman was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on April 22, 1918. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 1938 and was called to active duty in 1941. Cheeseman was part of a transportation company that was attached to the 34th Infantry Division when it was deployed to Ireland for training. Sent to North Africa in 1943, he participated in the North African campaign including the retreat at Kasserine Pass. Cheeseman was given a field promotion and was the supply officer with the headquarters battalion when it moved to Italy in mid-1943. There he experienced frequent artillery bombardments and served on the court martial board. He observed the action at Monte Cassino before being shipped home in 1944. He remained with the National Guard and eventually rose to the rank of general. Mr. Cheeseman married and raised a family in St. Paul before retiring to Little Falls. He died in Little Falls, Minnesota, on February 4, 2014.

Transcript Summary: William Cheeseman was inducted into the 34th Infantry Division from the 109th Quartermaster Regiment of the Minnesota National Guard in February 1941. After training at Camps Ripley and Claiborne, he was sent to Belfast, Ireland. He described camp life and the efforts to provide troops with proper seasonal equipment in the U.S. After training in Ireland, he was sent to Africa in 1943. He was involved in several African campaigns against German General Rommel’s troops including the retreat at Kasserine Pass. He received a battlefield commission at this time to second lieutenant, serving as the supply officer with the headquarters battalion. He discussed the camp life in Africa and the effect of General George Patton’s leadership. He then was sent to Italy where he was a supply officer and worked on the court martial board. He observed the attack on Monte Cassino and described being under almost constant artillery fire in Italy. Cheeseman made several comments about the various nationalities he came into contact with including international allies, German and Italian opposition, and civilian population in Ireland, Italy, and Africa. He also made observations about the quality and efforts of the Nisei Regiment and the African American 92nd division. As a junior member of the court martial board, Mr. Cheeseman speculated about the motivations of the many offenders that were tried, the severity and effectiveness of their punishment, and shared some notable cases. Finally, Cheeseman discussed the impact the war had on him as a person. After the war, he remained in the National Guard and advanced in the ranks to general. He lived and worked in St. Paul until retiring to Little Falls, Minnesota, where he passed away on February 4, 2014.

Interview by David Overy