Staff Sergeant William D. Cleveland, Jr. was born on 27 January 1959 in Phoenix, Arizona. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in 1978, serving two tours in Germany, one tour in Korea, and two tours at Fort Lewis, Washington. In 1988, he was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was assigned as a Crew Chief with Delta Company, 1st Battalion at Fort Campbell.

SSG Cleveland was one to help others whenever asked. If someone could not make a flight, he was there. He served with the Hooter Brothers as a Crew Chief for nearly six years, deploying on numerous missions, such as Operations PRIME CHANCE, JUST CAUSE, and GOTHIC SERPENT. He was a faithful husband, loving father, devoted son, true friend, fearless warrior, and a proud Night Stalker.

SSG Cleveland was killed in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993 during Operation GOTHIC SERPENT when his Black Hawk helicopter, #188, was called into a hot landing zone to extract wounded fellow Night Stalkers. On short final, and in the landing zone, they took extremely effective fire and were directed to depart the area. On departure, they received rocket propelled grenade fire, which ultimately knocked the aircraft down approximately 2,000 meters away. Shortly, the crash site and all individuals were overrun.

SSG Cleveland’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/2 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (w/3 OLC), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), and Senior Air Crewman's Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Air Medal (w/”V” Device and Numeral 2)

He is survived by his wife, Christine; sons, Martin, Peter, William III, Edward, and Johann; daughter, Crystal; mother, Nada; and his step-mother, Mary. He is laid to rest in Clarksville, Tennessee, at Shrine of Memories Mausoleum. Building #7278, on GEN Brown Compound at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is dedicated in his honor as Cleveland Hall.