World War II Honoree

John Henry Clements, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Savannah, Georgia

Honored By

Susan Helene Curnutte

Relationship

Daughter

AS A COMBAT ENGINEER, HE JOINED THE FAMOUS 'RAINBOW' INFANTRY DIVISION. LANDED IN FRANCE IN JANUARY 1945 IN THE HEAT OF MANY BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS AND ADVANCED THROUGH FRANCE, AUSTRIA AND ENTERED INTO GERMANY IN MARCH OF 1945. THE RAINBOWS SOON LIBERATED THE INFAMOUS DACHAU CONCENTRATION CAMP FREEING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM THEIR LIVING HELL. BY THE END OF THE WAR ON MAY 8, 1945, HE AND THE RAINBOWS HAD ESTABLISHED AN ENVIABLE COMBAT RECORD UNSURPASSED TO THIS VERY DAY. AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF OF COMBAT (QUITE OFTEN HAND TO HAND) HE RETURNED HOME VICTORIOUS ON JUNE 18, 1946.