World War II Honoree

John 'Jay' Zyats

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Junedale, Pennsylvania

Honored By

CW3 Michael P. Murphy

Relationship

Godson

SERGEANT; SERVED MARCH 9, 1942 TO NOVEMBER 12, 1945 AS A COMBAT INFANTRY SOLDIER WITH COMPANY C, 50TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION, 6TH ARMORED INFANTRY DIVISION, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE WAS AT D-DAY JUNE 6, 1944. SERVED IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED MANY MEDALS INCLUDING THE BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART (POSTHUMOUS), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH GERMANY CLASP AND HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. ALSO EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE (1945), AND WAS AN EXPERT WITH 30 CALIBER (1943) AND RECEIVED THE EXPERT BADGE FOR M-1 RIFLE (1944). SERVED IN PATTONS' 3RD ARMY AND WAS A VICTIM OF TRENCH FOOT.