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Last Name: ` MOTTERN	First Name Middle Initial: WILLIAM E		Nick Name: 'SONNY'
Street: 168 CRIPPLE CRK LOOP	City & State: WATAUGA, TN		E-Mail:
Zip: 37694	Phone: (615) 543-2820		Spouse: SWEETIE
Conflict: WW II	Service Branch: ARMY		Unit: 3 DIV 15 INF
Theater: ETO	Where Captured: COLMARE		Date Captured: 12/19/44
Camps Held In: Camps to come..			How Long Interned: 131 days
liberated / repatriated: liberated	Date Liberated: 04/29/45		Age at Capture: 23
Medals Received: PURPLE HEART MEDAL, 2 BRONZE STARS, ETO MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, POW MEDAL
Military Job: INFANTRYMAN		Company: SELF EMPLOYEED
Occupation after War: AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC

Military Bio:

William E. Mottern was born June 24, 1920 and married his high school sweetheart, Eulah Sweetie Shepherd 57 years ago. They have two children, Four grand children and one great granddaughter. Son, Sonnie Bill is a veteran of Vietnam and was elected as the National Treasurer of the AXPOW in Baton Rouge LA on Oct. 24, 1998. He also knows what war is about. Grandson Brad served in Japan as a Marine MP.

From Dec. 1943 through Dec. 1945 Sonny served on active duty in the 15th Infantry, 3rd Division in France where he received a battle field promotion. He was captured Dec. 19, 1944 near the Rhine River in France. He was held in four different POW camps being moved by box cars and forced marches. Liberated on April 29th, 1945 by Gen Patton's troops. Discharged 12/ 7/1945, awarded the Bronze Star, a cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American/European-African Campaign Medal and the POW Medal. Again Sonny was called to serve his country as chairman of the Carter County Draft Board during the Vietnam conflict.On April 19th, 1996 he was named by the governor of Tennessee as a Colonel, Aide-De-Camp for valor and dedication in the performance of his duties in service to the Ex-POW's and all veterans of the state of Tennessee. Also serves on the Military and Veterans Advisory Board for Tennessee. On April 19th, 1997 he was appointed by the Governor as Tennessee Ambassador of Goodwill. He is a National Service Organization Representative for the Department of Veteran Affairs. His community involvement and leadership includes: Elder in the Christian Church, Member of the Chamber of Commerce, past Master of the Masonic Lodge, life member, in the VFW, DAV, Purple Heart, the American Legion and the American Ex-Prisoners of War.
Sweetie Mottern, maiden name, Eulah B. Shepherd, was born June 2, 1922. She attended Milligan College, Carter County, TN. There she received Bachelors degree at Milligan college and her Masters degree at East Tennessee State University. She taught school in Carter County TN for ten years, worked as a librarian for twenty-one years, and then retired from Sullivan County TN. She married her high school sweetheart, William E. Sonny Mottern on October 17, 1941. Together they had two children Sonnie Bill Mottern and Ruth Lewis. They now have four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Sonny was elected and installed as National Commander of the American Ex-Prisoners of War on Sept. 21, 1996 at the 49th National Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. At the present time (1998) he serves as the National SR Director of the Board and President of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation and continues to be active in numerous Veterans groups.