World War II Honoree

John M. Pellettiere

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Ms. Marie Pellettiere

Relationship

Wife

ENTERED SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1941. SERVED IN THE 11TH CAVALRY WHICH WAS CONVERTED TO ARMOR. HE SERVED THEN IN THE 712TH TANK BATTALION WHICH LANDED IN NORMANDY AT UTAH BEACH SHORTLY AFTER JUNE 6. HE WAS A GUNNER AND THEN A TANK COMMANDER. HE FOUGHT THROUGH FRANCE AND GERMANY, WAS IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AND WAS IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA WHEN THE WAR ENDED. HIS UNIT WAS IN EUROPE FOR SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 300 DAYS AND IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY FOR SLIGHTLY UNDER 300 DAYS. HIS UNIT RECEIVED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION. HE PERSONALLY WAS AWARDED TWO PURPLE HEARTS, TWO BRONZE STARS AND THE SILVER STAR AND 5 ADDITIONAL CAMPAIGN MEDALS. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JUNE 23, 1945, SOON AFTER THE WAR ENDED.