World War II Honoree

John J. Goot

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cohoes, New York

Honored By

Michael J. Lynett

SERVED IN THE 27TH INFANTRY DIVISION ON MANY PACIFIC ISLANDS, EARNED FOUR CAMPAIGN SERVICE STARS, AND WAS WOUNDED TWICE IN BRUTAL COMBAT IN THE ISLAND BATTLE OF SAIPAN WITH 27TH, 105TH REGIMENT, AND IN THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA WITH 106TH REGIMENT. WAS AWARDED AND HONORED WITH THE BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART, NEW YORK STATE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE STAR, AND NEW YORK STATE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS MEDALS, MANY WAR SERVICE MEDALS, AND THE PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION. THIS WAS AWARDED FOR 105TH REGIMENT'S HEROIC SAIPAN STAND FROM JAPAN'S LARGEST WAR MASS ASSAULT WHEN THOUSANDS ATTACKED HUNDREDS IN THE 105TH, BUT WERE REPELLED WITH HIGH CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES. HE FOUGHT DEFENSIVE ACTIONS WITH 105TH B COMPANY IN THIS FEROCIOUS ATTACK, PROTECTING WOUNDED GIS BY HIS EXPERT RIFLE FIRING.