PFC John Henry Shirley
Today we honor and remember PFC John Henry Shirley of the 101st Airborne Division, who was killed in The Battle of the Bulge.
As the Screaming Eagles did not reach their main target the day before, the principal objective for the 101st Airborne Division remained the seizure of Noville on January 10, 1945.
Though the primary objective was to take Noville, the division also resumed its attack at Recogne, which was positioned on the division’s right flank. The attack of the 501st PIR jumped off at 0950 hours, with the 1st Battalion on the left, and its 2nd Battalion on the right flank of the regiment. 3rd Battalion was held in regimental reserve.
PFC John Henry Shirley of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 501st PIR was killed in action during the attack toward Recogne, by a gunshot wound on January 10, 1945.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Born on January 5, 1924, in Tifton, Georgia, he had just turned 21 years old only five days earlier. He left behind his mother, Mrs. Mattie M. (Yarbrough) Shirley, his wife, Mrs. Corene Shirley, and a ten-month-old son named Billy, two brothers, and one sister. His father Joseph L. Shirley had just recently passed away in September 1944. Three brothers and one sister had died in infancy.
PFC Shirley was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery Grand Failly, France, at Plot I, Row 11, Grave 275. He now rests eternally in the American War cemetery Luxembourg, at Plot I, Row 7, Grave 12.
PFC John Shirley was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸
Source: Rendezvous with Destiny by Rapport and Norwood (p 640-641)