Honor Mission
William P. "Bill" Gosch, Jr.
U.S. Marine Corps
WW II Veteran
North Tonawanda, NY - 04-02-2026
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 1, Region 2
About the Mission:
The family of WWII Veteran William P. "Bill" Gosch, Jr. has requested Patriot Guard Riders' participation in his military honors funeral services. Bill passed on 29 March 2026 at the age of 102, surrounded by his family at home.
At the age of 18, Bill entered the Marine Corps on 1 December 1942 and was trained as a Rifleman. He was sent to the Asiatic Pacific, assigned to the 2nd Marine Raiders Battalion, known as Carlson's Raiders, an elite special unit. He participated in action against the enemy at Bougainville, Guam and Okinawa, from 18 December 1943, to 21 June 1945. Bill was honorably discharged on 21 August 1945. He was Awarded Combat Action Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 4 Bronze Campaign Stars and a WWII Victory Medal.
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
04-02-2026 at 04:00pm
Staging Location:
Wattengel Funeral Home
533 Meadow Drive
North Tonawanda, NY. 14120
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
SRC Dick Hancock
Special Information:
Members will stand a respecful flag line for arriving family and guests from 4 to 7 pm. Military honors will be conducted on Saturday the 4th. Thank you for standing for a member of the "Greatest Generation" and his loving family.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
yes
Second Staging Date and Staging Time:
04-04-2026 at 09:30am
Second Location:
Wattengel Funeral Home
533 Meadow Drive
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
SRC Dick Hancock
Second Stage - Special Information:
Members will stand a flag line during prayer service. After a dignified transfer, PGR will escort Mr. Gosch and his family to Shawnee Cemetery, Mapleton Rd., Wheatfield, NY for military honors and interment.
Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
SRC Dick Hancock
rs 03/30; MER
