PFC John Henry Marston received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army at the Separation Center in Camp Gordon, Georgia on November 22, 1945, which happened to be Thanksgiving Day. President Truman, in proclaiming November 22 as a day of national thanksgiving, stated:
May we on that day, in our homes and in our places of worship, individually and as groups, express our humble thanks to Almighty God for the abundance of our blessings and may we on that occasion rededicate ourselves to those high principles of citizenship for which so many splendid Americans have recently given all.
May we on that day, in our homes and in our places of worship, individually and as groups, express our humble thanks to Almighty God for the abundance of our blessings and may we on that occasion rededicate ourselves to those high principles of citizenship for which so many splendid Americans have recently given all.
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World War II summary from US Military academy. Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=683817. |
Decorations and Citations
Johnnie was awarded the following medals and decorations during his service in the Army:
Good Conduct Medal
Awarded to any active duty enlisted member of the U.S.
military who completes three consecutive years of honorable and
faithful service
military who completes three consecutive years of honorable and
faithful service
Combat Infantryman Badge
Awarded for “performing duties while personally present and under
fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces capacity, in a unit
of brigade, regimental, or smaller size, engaged in active ground combat”
fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces capacity, in a unit
of brigade, regimental, or smaller size, engaged in active ground combat”
American Theater Service Ribbon
Awarded to a member of the U.S. military service in the American Theater
for at least 30 days outside the U.S. or 1 year inside the U.S. between
December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946
for at least 30 days outside the U.S. or 1 year inside the U.S. between
December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946
Purple Heart
Awarded for “being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of
the U.S. or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces”
the U.S. or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces”
Bronze Star Medal
“Awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for either heroic
achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious
service in a combat zone”
achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious
service in a combat zone”
World War II Victory Medal
Awarded for service in the U.S. armed forces between the dates of
December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946
December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946
U.S. Pin
Represents the United States
Crossed rifles pins – Infantry
Honorable Service Lapel Button, also known as the Ruptured Duck,
issued by the military to soldiers who wore them on their uniform to show
they were an honorably discharged veteran. Randy said Johnnie wore the button
on his suit after the war as well.
issued by the military to soldiers who wore them on their uniform to show
they were an honorably discharged veteran. Randy said Johnnie wore the button
on his suit after the war as well.
Distinctive Unit Insignia for the 85th Infantry Division Headquarters
Ribbons
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Top left: Bronze Star ribbon Top right: Purple Heart ribbon Bottom left: Good Conduct medal ribbon Bottom middle: European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon Bottom right: World War II Victory Medal ribbon |
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Honorable Discharge |
In the booklet Minturno to the Appennies, published by the Information-Education Section of the 85th Infantry Division on January 1, 1944, General Mark Clark expressed his gratitude to the 85th. His words remained steadfast and meaningful even as the war ended.
Headquarters, 85th Army Group
During the course of the Italian campaign the arrival of the 85th Infantry Division was an event which to me was of profound significance. Its arrival in Italy had been heralded by glowing reports which told of a thoroughness and completeness in training which few U.S. combat units had been able to equal. Seldom had adequate time and opportunity been available in such full measure prior to a division’s entry into combat.
The excellent combat record of the 85th Infantry Division attests eloquently to the soundness of our War Department policy to grant the maximum in training facilities to our fighting troops. You of the 85th Division have thereby contributed not only in the military victories which you have gained but also in passing on to your successors the heritage of indisputable proof that there is no substitute for intense, well-planned and intelligently executed training, under superior leadership.
I was glad to welcome the Custer Division to my command. I am and always shall be proud to include it among those gallant fighting forces on which I may place the fullest dependence under all conditions of combat.
To General Coulter, to the officers and men of the 85th Infantry Division I extend my sincerest congratulations on a tough job well done.
MARK W. CLARK, General, U.S. Army, Commanding
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General Mark W. Clark (1945) U.S. Army, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
