MAJ (Ret.) William D. Apple, ’41

Major Apple graduated in June 1941 as a cadet Colonel in the Engineer Corps of The Ohio State University Army ROTC and with a Civil Engineering degree (with honors).
Until his recent passing in July of 1997, he served his community, his university, and the U.S. Army with unusual ability and concern. He and Oliverose Apple were married 56 years . They had 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
Assigned to the 16th Armored Engineer Bn, in July 1941, he served in the 1st Armored Div in its Tunisian and Italian campaigns, as Commanding Officer of Co. “D”, (the Bridge Co.). Later in the war he was assigned to Corps Engineering and promoted to Major.
In July 1944 Major Apple was decorated with The Legion of Merit, based not only on his leadership in combat bridging operations in Italy, but also for his design of an attachment to a tank recovery
vehicle which could put Treadway bridge segments across short gaps under enemy fire. He was awarded six battle stars.
Major Apple returned to civilian pursuits in late 1945 and organized the Encrete Construction Co. of Dayton, Ohio. Encrete Construction Company grew to employ 1500 and be listed as a Fortune 500 Company. He was a member and leader of many area civic, professional and church organizations .
In regard for his Engineering education at The O.S.U., he established The Apple Foundation Scholarship Fund, which has helped over thirty students here, Majoring in Engineering or Education. He has been a strong supporter of The O.S.U. Army ROTC Alumni Society.
He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, (the Honorary Engineering Fraternity), American Society of Engineers, Engineers Club of Dayton, The O.S.U. Alumni Assn, The O.S.U. Presidents Club, and the First Armored Div. Assn.