World War II Honoree

John Carpenter Raaen, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Fort Benning, Georgia

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

He served as a US Army Ranger Captain in the 5th Ranger Battalion, and his first day of combat was on Omaha Beach on D-Day serving as a Headquarters Company Commander. He received a Silver Star and a Combat Infantryman Badge for his actions on D-Day. Served in France, Belgium and Germany until December 1944, when he was evacuated to the United States for treatment of injuries received during the Saar campaign. Received the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with arrowhead and three campaign stars, a Distinguished Unit Citation (5th Rangers - Normandy) and a Meritorious Unit Citation. In 2022, he received the Congressional Gold Medal.