Marine Private William Frank Seiverling, Jr., born on 22 Sep 1920 at Elizabethtown, Pa., was the son of William and Grace Seiverling. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 2 Feb 1942. In the fall of 1942 he was on Guadalcanal helping wrest control of the island from the Japanese. Pvt. Seiverling was killed on 1 Nov 1942 during the enemy attack across the Matanikau River on the island.

Navy Cross Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private William F. Seiverling, Jr. (MCSN: 369132), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River in the Solomon Islands Area on 1 November 1942. When ordered to fire on the enemy, Private Seiverling unhesitatingly ran down the hill, directly in the face of enemy fire, and attacked the Japanese, killing one sniper and possibly many others.

During the organization of the platoon, he covered the evacuation of the wounded and then hearing that the Second Platoon was also in difficulty, he voluntarily ran between the enemy and the platoon and covered its withdrawal, killing several Japanese before he, himself, was hit by machine gun fire. Although suffering from his injury, Private Seiverling managed to locate the enemy position and with grim determination continued to deliver heavy fire from his automatic rifle. As he started back over the ridge, he was fatally wounded. By his great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self-sacrifice he was an inspiration to his comrades and undoubtedly saved the lives of many while giving his own life in the defense of his country.

The Destroyer Escort USS William Seiverling DE 441 was named in his honor.