World War II Honoree

John Henry Hamsher

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Sugarcreek, Ohio

Honored By

Karen Townsend

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED TWO YEARS IN THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE BUILDING DEFENSES AND GUN BATTERIES. THEN WAS SENT TO SERVE 18 MONTHS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE WITH BATTERY A OF THE 321ST ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY SEARCHLIGHT BATTALION. HE OPERATED AND MAINTAINED THE GENERATORS USED FOR POWERING THE RADAR AND SEARCHLIGHTS USED IN TARGETING THE ENEMY. ALSO AIDED ALLIED AIRCRAFT TO A SAFE LANDING. HE EARNED FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS IN THE SOUTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN CAMPAIGNS. HE ALSO WAS AN M-1 RIFLE MARKSMAN.