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Served in World War II as a bombadier/navigator. Served in Normandy (D-Day), Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the B ulge) and Germany. Recieved the Distinguished Unit Badge, EAME (European Theatre) with 4 stars, Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters. (He cl aimed 12, meaning he flew 65 missions). He was in the 9th Air Force, 99th Wing, 322nd Group, 450th Bomb Squadron. On D-Day, June 6, 1944 the 322d Bomb Group attacked coastal defenses and gun batteries. Afterwards, when John joined th e unit, during the Normandy campaign, the 322d pounded fuel and ammunition dumps, bridges, and road junctions, supporti ng the Allied offensive at Caen and the breakthrough at St Lo in July. From Andrews Field the 322d received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the period May 14, 1943 – July 24, 1944. The g roup moved during September 1944, transferring to Beauvais (A-61) Airfield in northern France, and aiding the drive o f Third ArmyacrossFrance He flew from: Andrews Field near Essex,England moved to Beauvais Tille,France in Sept. 1944 moved to Le Culot,Belgium in March 1945 The base used in France was an existing base that the 322nd had themselves bombed in the pre D-Day missions and was i n rough shape. The group had to stand down from operations while all the personnel in the group filled the bomb crater s in the runways andoperations areas. The men of the 322nd had to deal with the harsh winter of 1944 while living in te nts and working on the aircraft outside. The unit had much better living conditions when the 322nd moved to Belgium because the group used a large childrens sch ool as barracks.