World War II Honoree

John F. Oldenburg

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Shirley, Massachusetts

Honored By

Charles B. Church III

ENTERED THE U.S. ARMY FROM BROWNSVILLE, NEW YORK. IN 1944. BASIC TRAINING AT FORT RILEY, KANSAS. SENT TO BURMA WITH THE 124TH HORSE CAVALRY, PART OF MARS TASK FORCE AND THE 475TH INFANTRY DIVISION. WHILE ON FOOT, USED MULES TO CARRY AMMUNITION AND FOOD TO FRONT LINE TROOPS. TOOK OVER THIS FUNCTION FOR MERRILL'S MARAUDERS. REPEATEDLY SHELLED NEAR FRONT LINES WHILE MAKING SUPPLY DELIVERIES. AWARDED THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. AS A STAFF SERGEANT, HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN 1970.