World War II Honoree

John R. Cox

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Charlottesville, Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Staff Sergeant. A member of the Virginia Army National Guard, who was inducted into Federal Service February 3, 1941 at Charlottesville, Virginia. After his induction, he was transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for his combat infantry training, with additional training at Camp Barkeley, Texas. Deployed to Great Britain, October 5, 1942 with the Twenty-Ninth Infantry ‘Blue and Gray’ Division. Served as a Squad Leader in Company-K, Third Battalion; 116th Infantry Regiment. The division participated in the invasion of Germany’s Fortress Europe, D-Day, June 6, 1944 Code Name: Operation Overlord. His regiment went ashore on Omaha Beach, Battle of Normandy with the first wave of troops at 0630 hours, the assault on the German Army defenses. Killed in Action on the first day of the invasion and buried in the Omaha Battlefield Cemetery Normandy, France. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, the family of this Soldier received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest at the Riverview Cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.