World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
John A. Whitener
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Lancaster, South Carolina
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH COMPANY L, 3RD BATTALION, 334TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 84TH INFANTRY 'RAILSPLITTERS' DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. SAILED FROM THE NEW YORK PORT OF EMBARKATION ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1944 AND ARRIVED IN ENGLAND ON OCTOBER 1, 1944. LANDED AT OMAHA BEACH AT NORMANDY, FRANCE ON NOVEMBER 1, 1944. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH 'GERMANY' CLASP. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM BY HIS UNIT AT THE RUHR AND RHINE RIVERS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICIAN FOURTH GRADE AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.