Did you know Paducah was home to several admirals in WWII? William Burch was the son of William O. and Elizabeth Metzler Burch. He was born June 27, 1904, and attended public schools, entering Annapolis in 1923. Burch was involved with raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Salamaua Lae and in the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. He and his squadron were deadly in carrying out direct hits upon Japanese ships. He later served on the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) as its Executive Officer. There he earned his third gold star by directing the fire detail when the ship suffered the effects of a suicide bomber striking the vessel. His clothing caught fire twice during this episode, and he was wounded by shrapnel. He refused to go to sickbay. Pieces of the shrapnel continued to give him discomfort until his death at his home, which occurred January 21, 1989. The Market House Museum has been given the uniform and insignia of Burch by a family member, to be featured in a military exhibit at the new Museum.