World War II Honoree

John Low Baldwin, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Boonton, New Jersey

Honored By

Colonel James A. Connett

Relationship

Chaplain

AN ACCOMPLISHED CIVILIAN MUSICIAN AND ORGANIST, AFTER ENTERING ACTIVE SERVICE, WAS SELECTED FOR DUTY WITH THE CHAPLAIN CORPS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF CHAPLAIN ASSISTANT (MOS 534). ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH SERVICE COMPANY, 222ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, 42ND 'RAINBOW' INFANTRY DIVISION. ENTERED COMBAT ON DECEMBER 24, 1944 NEAR STRASBOURG, FRANCE, DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS (INCLUDING THE LIBERATION OF DACHAU) AND WAS NEAR PALLING, BAVARIA, AT WAR'S END. WHILE ENGAGED IN THE IMMEDIATE POST-WAR OCCUPATION OF GERMANY, HE RE-ACTIVIATED THE RAINBOW DIVISION CHORUS AND ESTABLISHED THE ARMY MUSIC SCHOOL OF SALZBURG AND VIENNA. HE EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (GERMANY).