William “Bill” Newland Popewas born on 11 November 1921, the only adopted child of Herbert Lee Pope and Billie Knight. He was a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School in 1941.
Killed in Action 9 October 1942
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Marine Raider Battalion
Buried at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 7 November 1942
Pvt. William N. Pope, 18, son of Capt. And Mrs. Herbert L. Pope, is the second Knoxville man of the U.S. Marine Corps to be killed in action in the Solomon Islands offensive. The news of private Pope’s death in action reached The News-Sentinel in a telegram from the parents. No details had yet been learned. Young Pope, a popular fellow with school companions, made up his mind to volunteer soon after Pearl Harbor, and his parents said at the time that they had agreed to abide by the son’s decision. The father, former chief of staff at General Hospital, entered the Army Medical Corps three weeks ago after undergoing an operation to remove a minor physical disability which prevented his acceptance. Private Pope had been in the Solomon Islands for some time, according to the grandfather, R.L. Pope, an attorney here. “We were told he left Quantico, Va., with the first group of Marines to go to the Solomons,” the grandfather said. “His mother had received one letter from him since he arrived there.” He enlisted in the Marines last January and received training at Quantico and Parris Island, S.C., he said. The telegram from the parents at Robins Field, Ga., said no details of the son’s death had been received yet. The Popes lived here at 3200 Lansing Avenue until three weeks ago.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 11 November 1921
- Date of death: 9 October 1942
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Marine Raider Battalion
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Highland Memorial Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Top Panel
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