Monona County IA Archives Obituaries.....McShannon, John Douglas December 24, 1944 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carolyn Jarvey iandaz@cox.net December 7, 2009, 3:45 pm unknown Big Military Service for McShannon (From the collection of Vivian Norby Andersen) A very fine service was held at Soldier Lutheran Church Monday for John McShannon, who died in the service of his country. Rev. J. R. Groettum gave a very fitting sermon. The church was completely filled. Full military honors were given and the veterans of World War II are to be commended for splendid way in which they handled their part of the service, both at the church and at the cemetery at Ute, the final resting place. A large number of veterans turned out in uniform which made the service that much more impressive. Following the service the veterans in full dress escorted the body to the edge of town. At the cemetery everything went like clock-work and it was impressing. Ralph Oldham had charge of funeral arrangements. John Douglas McShannon was born on May 17, 1919 into the home of Mr. And Mrs. William McShannon. His childhood was marked by normal health and it is said that he never knew what sickness was. His schooling was received in the rural school of his Community and at Soldier. He early heard the call of the country and at the age of 18 in the year 1937 he enlisted in the United States Navy serving for fifteen months— four months at Great Lakes training school and 11 months on the battleship U.S.S. California. When he came back to civilian life, he farmed—first with his father, and then for Chester Severson at Ortonville, Minn. It was while living in Minnesota that he was registered and consequently later was drafted. He was inducted into the Army on November 12, 1941. From that time on he was moved about from place to place by the United State Army. First to Fort Snelling, then to Fort Des Moines. At Camp Polk, La. Where he trained for three months he was assigned to the third armored division. For four months he studied short wave radio at Fort Knox, Ky., and graduated as a radio operator, and was made a corporal, followed by a seven day furlough at home. Then, he went back to Camp Polk, this time to be assigned to the Reconnaisance(sic) branch of the Third Armored Division. The division was transferred to California for desert training for five months. In November of 1942 they were sent to Camp Pickett, Va. For 30 days, and then until July 1943 they were stationed at Indian Town Gap, Penn. Where the coal miners were threatening a strike. It was in July of 1943 that he had those 12 days before he went overseas. They must have been days filled with activity. He chose then the one with whom he thought he would spend the rest of his days, for on July 12, 1943 he was married to Carol Jensen, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Miner Jensen of Mapleton, at Sioux City. Following the 12-day furlough he went back to Pennsylvania, and the Third Armored Division when overseas. While in England, the land of his father’s called him, and he visited Scotland. There three uncles and one aunt, his father’ family, resided. He looked forward to seeing them when the war was over. It was in the Battle of the Bulge that Johnny gave his life. The Third Armored Division had spearheaded into Germany. They were holding one- half of the town of Duren when the bulge started. They were rushed down to stop the bulge. They were trapped, and when trying to break through, Johnny was killed. According to information received, he was killed with machine gun fire. Here is a description from a buddy that tells the story: “You asked how he was killed. He died fighting, in mine and every other fellow’s opinion in the outfit who knew him a real her. “In the battle of the Bulge, the weather was so foggy you could just about make out the road you were traveling and not much else. Pretty hilly country. Anyhow Johnny’s platoon advanced down the road, quite a few miles with the enemy observing from the hills on both sides of the road. When they reached a certain town, they were cut off, all the men numbered about forty. They held out for a couple of days. The only thing to do was try and get back to the main body down the same road used to reach the town. Johnny volunteered to try to break through with his armored car with a couple of jeeps following. “They got about half way back but the Heinies were laying in the ditches and they put a bazooka round through the motor of the armored car and machine-gunned the jeeps, one of which got through with all the tires shot up and the platoon leader killed. The crew of the armored car, except Johnny, jumped out and were taken prisoners except the driver who just disappeared. Johnny fought them with every weapon on the car until he was killed. That’s about the whole story as I know it, except that he’s one man I’ll never forget, nor will any one of the fellows who knew him. A real hero who deserved all the medals his country has.” That is a description of his death and a tribute to him who gave his life in just that way. He had served in the Army three years, 1 month, and 12 days. At the time of his death he was 25 years, 7 months and 7 days. In addition to a host of relatives and friends, he was survived by his wife, his parents, and three sisters; Mrs. Hersel Hanson, Mrs. Omar Nelson, and Mrs. Lester Saxen of Mapleton. Two brothers preceded him death, one infant brother, the other at the age of two and a half. Blessed be his memory. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/monona/obits/m/mcshanno2198gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb