World War II Honoree

John Elroy Linn, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Newton, Kansas

Honored By

Carolyn Becker Wellborn

Relationship

Niece

MAY 12, 1943; INDUCTED INTO U.S. ARMY AT FT. LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS. QUALIFICATIONS: MEDICAL BADGE (MEDICAL BASIC TRAINING, WILLIAM BEAUMONT GENERAL HOSPITAL, EL PASO, TEXAS), M3 RIFLE. MILITARY OCCUPATION: AMBULANCE DRIVER. SERVED IN NEW CALEDONIA, FIJI, BOUGAINVILLE, LEYTE, CEBU AND JAPAN, IN 121ST MEDICAL BATTALION, U.S. 8TH ARMY. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: ASIATIC-PACIFIC SERVICE MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND AMERICAL DIVISION COMMENDATION FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY OPERATIONS AT BOUGAINVILLE, SOLOMON ISLANDS, FROM MARCH 10, 1944 TO MARCH 24, 1944. THROUGHOUT THE ACTION ON HILL 260, AS A LITTER BEARER IN A COLLECTING COMPANY, DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF IN THE EVACUATION OF THE WOUNDED. FREQUENTLY WORKED UNDER ENEMY MORTAR AND SHELL FIRE, OVER HAZARDOUS JUNGLE TRAILS MADE DOUBLY DANGEROUS BY RAIN AND MUD. PERSISTED IN HIS WORK, OFTEN CONTINUING UNDER BLACK-OUT CONDITIONS TO COMPLETE HIS MISSIONS. THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ACTION, VOLUNTEERED FOR CONTINUOUS WORK WHEN HE MIGHT OTHERWISE BEEN ASSIGNED DUTIES IN THE SECURITY OF THE REAR AREA. CONTINUOUS UNTIRING EFFORTS AND DEVOTION TO DUTY WERE IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE SUCCESS OF HIS COMPANY’S MISSION. RANK: PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. DECEMBER 7, 1945; HONORABLE DISCHARGE AT FT. LOGAN, COLORADO.