Bill Maynard

Born

1921-12-08

Died

2011-09-23

Birthplace

Sacramento, California, USA

Biography

William C. “Bill” Maynard (December 8, 1921 – September 23, 2011) was an American Army soldier and World War II veteran. He served as a Technician Fifth Grade with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Raised in Sacramento, California, Maynard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and volunteered for the airborne forces. He trained with Easy Company at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, and later at Fort Benning before deploying to England in preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe. Maynard parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was seriously injured during the landing and was subsequently evacuated for treatment, ending his combat service. For his service during the Normandy campaign, he received the Purple Heart. He was also later awarded the French Legion of Honor for his contribution to the liberation of France. After returning to the United States, Maynard spent more than 30 years working as a building inspector for Sacramento County. He remained in contact with his fellow Easy Company veterans and participated in reunions and commemorative events. He was among the veterans interviewed for the HBO documentary We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company and was featured alongside other members of Easy Company in accounts of their wartime experiences. Maynard died on September 23, 2011, in California, at the age of 89.