World War II Honoree

John Henry Pipes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lawton, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 1942. HIS UNIT SAILED FROM THE NEW YORK PORT OF EMBARKATION ON OCTOBER 22, 1944 AND ARRIVED IN ENGLAND ON NOVEMBER 2, 1944. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 187TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION. LANDED IN FRANCE ON DECEMBER 29, 1944. PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR RISKING HIS LIFE TO SAVE A WOUNDED FELLOW SOLDIER BY PULLING HIM TO SAFETY WHILE UNDER ENEMY FIRE. ALSO AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘GERMANY’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY RESERVE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF MAJOR.