World War II Honoree

John Wallace Cathcart, II

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Winnsboro, South Carolina

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

1ST LIEUTENANT, ENTERED INTO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY MEDICAL CORPS IN MARCH, 1944. HE WAS INITIALLY SENT TO CARLISLE BARRACKS, PENNSYLVANIA FOR TRAINING. FURTHER TRAINING WAS RECEIVED AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON, INDIANA, CAMP BRECKENRIDGE, KENTUCKY, AND CAMP BEALE, CALIFORNIA. HE DEPARTED THE STATES IN AUGUST, 1944 AND LANDED IN NEW GUINEA IN SEPTEMBER, WHERE HE WAS TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED TO A HOSPITAL DISPENSARY. IN NOVEMBER HE LANDED ON LEYTE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND WAS ASSIGNED AS BATTALION AID SURGEON OF THE 1ST BATTALION, 21ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 24TH DIVISION. HE MADE LANDINGS WITH THIS OUTFIT ON MINDORO, MARANDUQUE, LUBANG AND MINDANAO IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE WAS KILLED BY A JAPANESE SNIPER IN THE FIERCE FIGHTING NEAR MINTAL, MINDANAO ON MAY 3, 1945. HIS BODY WAS RETURNED TO THE STATES, AND HE WAS INTERRED IN THE BETHAL ARP CEMETERY IN WINNSBORO, SOUTH CAROLINA.