World War II Honoree

John J. Whitecotten

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Atlanta, Texas

Honored By

American Legion Post 92 & Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE ENTERED THE ARMY ON JULY, 1940, AND TRAINED WITH THE 1ST CAVALRY, 5TH REGIMENT AT FORT CLARK, DEL RIO, TEXAS; 91ST RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON. HE SAW SERVICE IN NORTH AFRICA, SICILY, ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY AND AUSTRIA. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE D-DAY NORMANDY OPERATION AND AT MARSEILLES, FRANCE. HE RECEIVED A FIELD COMMISSION IN NORTH AFRICA AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT. DURING HIS TOUR HE RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AND EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL. HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY AFTER THE SURRENDER OF GERMANY IN DECEMBER 1945 AND RETURNED TO FORT SAM HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND THEN TO HIS HOMETOWN OF ATLANTA, TEXAS.