World War II Honoree

John Ben Artaz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Honored By

Estaleen M. Artaz, Wanda, Susan & Dwane

Relationship

Wife, Daughters & Son

HE COMPLETED HIS BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AT CAMP ROBERTS, CALIFORNIA; ASSIGNED TO THE 78TH INFANTRY TRAINING BATTALION, BRAVO COMPANY. LATER DEPLOYED TO NEW GUINEA FOR PARATROOPER TRAINING, ASSIGNED TO ABLE COMPANY, 187TH GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT, 11TH AIRBORNE ‘ANGELS’ DIVISION. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: PARTICIPATED IN THE INITIAL ASSAULT ON LEYTE AND LUZON, THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. ON AUGUST 10, 1945 HIS DIVISION MOVED TO OKINAWA TO ESCORT GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR INTO JAPAN AND TO SPEARHEAD THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN. DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: THE ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THE BRONZE ARROWHEAD AND 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS. THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, EXPERT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE AND HIS PARATROOPER WINGS. HE ENTERED THE SERVICE OCTOBER 26, 1943 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 15, 1945.