World War II Honoree

John A. O'Keefe

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Central Islip, New York

Honored By

Michael McTiernan

On October 9, 1944, he was called for Army service and received his infantry basic training and radio operator training at Camp Croft, South Carolina from October 1944 to February 2, 1945. He served with Headquarters Company, 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion, Combat Command A. He was sent overseas and and on March 17 he joined the 4th Armored Division. With this Division, he crossed the Rhine River and went into Czechoslovakia. He joined the Army of occupation and served until July 25, 1946. On August 7 he was honorably discharged from the service at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He holds the award of the Army of Occupation, the Distinguished Unit Badge, European Theatre of Operations Medal with two Battle Stars, the Good Conduct and WWII Victory Medals.