World War II Honoree

John Preloh, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cambria County, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: TECHNICIAN 5TH CLASS. GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR FOR 309 DAYS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY MARCH 28, 1941 AT ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA AND BECAME A PARATROOPER, WHO SERVED WITH C-COMPANY, 326TH AIRBORNE ENGINEER BATTALION, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. HE JUMPED INTO THE AREA OF ANGOVILLE-AU-PLAIN ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, 01:40, D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944, BATTLE OF NORMANDY. THIS WAS THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, CODE NAME: OPERATION OVERLORD. CAPTURED BY THE GERMAN ARMY DURING THE DAY OF THE ASSAULT IN THE VICINITY OF THE LA BARQUETTE LOCK, DOUVE RIVER BRIDGES OR THE WOODEN BRIDGES AT LE PORT NEAR BREVANDS, FRANCE. HE WAS HELD IN CAPTIVITY AS A PRISONER OF WAR AT STALAG 3C ALT DREWITZ BRANDENBURG, PRUSSIA. REPATRIATED AND RETURNED TO MILITARY CONTROL, APRIL 11, 1945.