Private  First Class William D. Avileswas born on January 24,  1930 in Coachella, California to Josephine Aviles. The family moved to Nogales, Arizonaand then settled in Tucson, Arizona. William went to school in Nogales and was employed by

Grand Central Aircraft in Tucson.

      In April of 1951, William was drafted into the United States Army and sent to Camp Roberts in California for infantry basic training and shortly after was sent to the war theater in Korea. Pfc. Aviles was part of the K-Company, 3rd Battalion - 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. In Korea, he served in the Kumhwa battle zone in the Kumsong area.

     On October 15, 1951 while attacking an enemy position near Chip'O-rein North Korea, Pfc, William D. Aviles was mortally wounded. He was killed while silencing one enemy bunker and charging onto anotheer in a heroic effort to assist K-Company's Mission.

     Private First Class William D. Aviles has been awarded the following medals: the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal anf the Korean War Service Medal. The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to Pfc. Aviles posthumously, being presented to his mother, Josephine.