World War II Honoree

John E. Newkirk

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bedford, Indiana

Honored By

Walter D. Golladay

Relationship

Friend

ENTERED ARMY AS PRIVATE IN MAY 1943 AT LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. REPORTED TO FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON, INDIANA FOR ASSIGNMENT. THEN TO 771ST FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, CAMP BOWIE, TEXAS. COMPLETED FIELD ARTILLERY TRAINING AT FORT HOOD, TEXAS AND 3RD ARMY MANEUVER AREA. ARRIVED AS TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE IN ENGLAND AND EUROPEAN THEATER TO JULY 1944. BATTALION BOMBARDED BREST BEFORE SUPPORTING INFANTRY UNITS IN FRANCE, BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG. AFTER BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JOINED 3RD ARMY ACROSS GERMANY INTO CZECHOSLOVAKIA. AWARDED EUROPEAN THEATER RIBBON WITH 4 CAMPAIGN STARS.