World War II Honoree

John C. Pump

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pontiac, Michigan

Honored By

Sherry Brookheart

Relationship

Daughter

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 22 MARCH 1944. COMPLETED INFANTRY BASIC TRAINING, AND, BY DATE OF DISCHARGE, HAD QUALIFIED AND SERVED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES OF MESSAGE CENTER CLERK, RIFLEMAN, AND AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN (MOS 667, 745 AND 746, RESPECTIVELY). INITIALLY ASSIGNED TO 3RD BATTALION, 395TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 99TH INFANTRY DIVISION, WHICH DEPLOYED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS IN OCTOBER, 1944, ENTERED COMBAT ON 9 NOVEMBER 1944, AND PARTICIPATED IN THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. RE-ENLISTED IN THE REGULAR ARMY ON 4 DECEMBER 1945 AND RETURNED TO THE STATES ON 27 DECEMBER 1945. REASSIGNED TO COMPANY C, 756TH TANK BATTALION, AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON 2 JUNE 1947 AT THE SEPARATION POINT, FORT BENNING, GEORGIA. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE (LATER BECAME THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION), COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.