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Personal info

Full name
DOTSON, John Franklin
Date of birth
13 December 1913
Age
31
Place of birth
Decherd, Franklin County, Tennessee
Hometown
District 18, Franklin County, Tennessee

Military service

Service number
34326548
Rank
Technician Fifth Grade
Function
unknown
Unit
K Company,
3rd Battalion,
120th Infantry Regiment,
30th Infantry Division
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
25 December 1944
Place of death
Malmedy, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Edward W. Dotson (father)
Sallie A. Dotson (mother)
Clara Dotson (sister)
Lida M. Dotson (sister)
George E. Dotson (brother)
Louise E. Dotson (sister)
Joe A. Dotson (brother)
Rufus K. Dotson (brother)
Harold M. Dotson (brother)
Charles P. Dotson (brother)
Myra (Eslick) Dotson (wife)

More information

T/5 John F. Dotson attended high school for three years and was a chauffeur.

He enlisted at Camp Forrest, Tennessee on 22 September 1942.

On 23, 24 and 25 December 1944 the city center of Malmédy was bombed repeatedly by the United States Army Air Forces in a series of friendly fire incidents. Approximately 200 civilians were killed in the tragic attacks, while the number of American casualties has never been revealed by the United States Department of Defense. It is estimated that 69 American servicemen lost their lives of which a great number is still listed as missing in action.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, www.oldhickory30th.com, WWII Draft Card, Tennessee Marriage Records

Photo source: FOHF