World War II Honoree

John D. Hess

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY AFTER ENLISTING IN 1942. HE TRAINED AT THE ARMY'S ADVANCED TANK OFFICERS SCHOOL AND JOINED HIS UNIT, THE 743RD ARMORED BATTALION, IN EUROPE AS A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN SEPTEMBER 1944. HE SERVED AS THE 743RD'S TRANSPORTATION OFFICER AND FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AND OTHER MAJOR ENGAGEMENTS IN BELGIUM, HOLLAND AND GERMANY. AFTER THE DEFEAT OF GERMANY, HE ASSISTED VICTIMS OF CONCENTRATION CAMPS AND HELPED RELOCATE REFUGEES THROUGHOUT EUROPE. PRIOR TO HIS REPATRIATION TO THE U.S. IN SEPTEMBER OF 1945, HE AUTHORED 'MOVE OUT, VERIFY- THE COMBAT STORY OF THE 743RD TANK BATTALION, A HISTORY OF TANK COMBAT IN WWII. HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE AS A CAPTAIN IN JANUARY 1946.