William G. Bainbridge
William G. Bainbridge (April 17, 1925 – November 29, 2008) was a highly respected U.S. Army sergeant major who served as the fifth Sergeant Major of the Army from July 1, 1975 to June 1979. He was the last World War II veteran to hold that position.
Bainbridge was born in Galesburg, Illinois. He joined the Army in 1943 and fought with the 106th Infantry Division. He helped in the Battle of the Bulge, was captured by German forces, and spent the rest of World War II as a prisoner of war before being freed.
After the war he left active duty, joined the Army Reserve, and was recalled to active duty in 1951. He held many senior noncommissioned officer roles in Europe, at Fort Riley, Fort Benning, Fort Meade, Fort Shafter, and more. In 1972 he became the first command sergeant major of the new United States Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Bainbridge retired from the Army in 1991 to Palm Bay, Florida, and died in 2008. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
His awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three times), Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (two), Army Commendation Medal (four), and two Purple Hearts, among others.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:13 (CET).