World War II Honoree

John Edward Pfeifer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

East Lansing, Michigan

Honored By

Louise B. Pfeifer

Relationship

Wife

ATTACHED TO HEADQUARTERS AS A SURVEYOR FOR THE 493RD ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, 12TH ARMORED DIVISION AT CAMP CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY. IN NOVEMBER OF 1943 THE 493RD MOVED TO CAMP BARKELEY, TEXAS AND BEGAN PREPARATIONS FOR DUTY IN EUROPE. THE 493RD JOINED THE 'RACE FOR THE RHINE' AND CAPTURED NAZI FORCES AND LIBERATED PRISONERS OF WAR AS THEY ADVANCED. HELPED LIBERATE THE DACHAU DEATH CAMP. CROSSED THE DANUBE RIVER. BY MAY 4, 1945 THE UNIT HAD LOGGED 222,000 MILES THROUGH FRANCE AND GERMANY.