World War II Honoree

John W. Bahr

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Manning, Iowa

Honored By

Robert L. Chadwick

Relationship

Friend

CORPORAL BAHR WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY AT FORT F.E. WARREN, WYOMING ON NOVEMBER 9, 1942. HE WAS ATTACHED TO THE THIRD INFANTRY DIVISION OF THE FIFTH ARMY. HE SAW ACTION IN NORTH AFRICA, SICILY, ITALY, SOUTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, NORTH APENNINES AND PO VALLEY. HE RECEIVED THE SILVER STAR FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION AGAINST AN ENEMY OF THE UNITED STATES. THE CITATION READ: 'PRIVATE BAHR VOLUNTARILY AND ALONE, DRAGGED A HEAVY MACHINE GUN INTO POSITION AND MANNED AND FIRED THE GUN FOR FOUR HOURS TO SUPPORT TROOPS CROSSING A RIVER AND TO KNOCK OUT TWO ENEMY MACHINE GUNS AND SILENCE A THIRD. ALTHOUGH SUBJECTED TO ENEMY MACHINE GUN, MORTAR AND ARTILLERY FIRE WITH BULLETS AND FRAGMENTS HITTING HIS GUN POSITION, STRIKING NO MORE THAN A FEW FEET FROM HIM,WITH STIRRING COURAGE AND FIRM DETERMINATION, HE ALONE CONTINUED TO MAN THE GUN GIVING NEEDED SUPPORT TO ATTACKING TROOPS.' FOLLOWING THIS ACTION HE WAS PROMOTED TO CORPORAL. HE WAS LATER WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL FIRE AND AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART WITH ONE BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND A GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HIS MILITARY QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDED COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE AND BAYONET EXPERT. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON 2 JUNE, 1945.