World War II Honoree

John W. Bates

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Montvale, New Jersey

Honored By

Michael Sheehy

Relationship

Grandson

JOINED NEW YORK'S 7TH REGIMENT, U.S. ARMY RESERVE IN 1941. ACTIVATED LATER THAT YEAR, SERVED IN COASTAL ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY IN NORTH CAROLINA. FOLLOWING THAT ASSIGNMENT, WAS MOVED TO INFANTRY AND SERVED AS AN INSTRUCTOR IN GEORGIA AND TEXAS BEFORE BEING REASSIGNED FOR PACIFIC DUTY IN EARLY 1945. INVOLVED IN REPATRIATION OF ALLIED POW AND SECURING TERRITORY AFTER THE JAPANESE SURRENDER IN JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES, SERVED IN AREAS INCLUDING MANILA, TOKYO AND THE REGION AROUND NAGASAKI AFTER ITS DESTRUCTION ON AUGUST 9, 1945 BY THE SECOND ATOMIC BOMB. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1946.