World War II Honoree

John H. Atkinson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Boise, Idaho

Honored By

A Grateful American

LIEUTENANT; ENTERED ACTIVE DUTY AS A RESERVE OFFICER ON JUNE 9, 1939. HE SERVED WITH THE 27TH DIVISION IN HAWAII FOR EIGHT MONTHS, THEN A YEAR OF DUTY WITH THE 102ND INFANTRY ON CORAL ATOLL. DURING THIS TOUR HE EXPERIENCED THREE JAPANESE BOMBING RAIDS AND ONE SUBMARINE SHELLING. HE THEN SERVED WITH COMPANY I OF THE 123RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 33RD INFANTRY DIVISION. DUE TO THE ROTATION PLAN, HE LEFT THE REGIMENT DURING THE NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN TO RETURN HOME. AWARD: COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE.