World War II Honoree

John J. Cooney

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED AND PROUDLY SERVED IN COMPANY 'A' OF THE 331ST INFANTRY, 83RD DIVISION. PROMPTLY FOUND HIMSELF IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER AND IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. DURING THAT BATTLE, IN THE BITTER COLD OF JANUARY 1945, HE FOUND HIMSELF WITH FELLOW SOLDIERS IN BELGIUM. LOADED DOWN WITH BELTS OF 50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN AMMUNITION, HE FELL INTO A CREEK AND GOT STUCK. DUE TO THE LONG EXPOSURE, HE DEVELOPED FROSTBITE IN BOTH FEET. HE ALMOST LOST BOTH FEET BUT RECOVERED. HE EARNED THE BRONZE STAR AND RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN 1945.