World War II Honoree

John J. Goertzen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Boise, Idaho

Honored By

Lori Beach

Relationship

Daughter

In 1945 he was drafted into the Army and sent to Camp Roberts in California for infantry Basic Training. During that time the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan and the Japanese surrendered. He was reassigned into the Army Air Corps and sent to Atsugi, Japan as part of the occupation forces. He was assigned to the 8th Squadron, 3rd bomb group as an airplane and engine mechanic. He earned the M1 Rifle Badge, the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal.