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name
KOIVUNEN, John Edward - Date of
birth
30 March 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Ironwood, Gogebic County, Michigan -
Hometown
Gogebic County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36450919 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
Rifleman -
Unit
L Company,
3rd Battalion,
331st Infantry Regiment,
83rd Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
20 November 1944 - Place of
death
East of Oberdonven, Luxembourg
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Oscar A. Koivunen (father)
Mary B. Koivunen (mother)
Elma V. Koivunen (sister)
Hilma M. Koivunen (sister)
Violet C. Koivunen (sister)
More information
Pfc John E. Koivunen attended high school for 2 years and worked in a sawmill before he enlisted.He enlisted in Marquette, Michigan on 8 February 1943.
He joined his unit from the 48th Replacement Battalion on 8 July 1944.
The picture was taken on 27 June 1943 at Camp McCain, Mississippi while he was serving with the Anti-Tank Company, 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division.
His comanding officer of the regiment wrote the following to his parents, regarding the circumstances of his death: "A patrol of L Company crossed the Mosselle river to make a reconnaissance of enemy territory. They had made a thorough search and had returned across the river to the Luxembourg side, when on checking the men of the patrol, they found that John was missing. While making his way back to the company, he had lost contact with the patrol and it was during this time that the patrol was attacked by an enemy patrol. During the ensuing fight, you son was instantly killed with rifle fire."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / 1930 Census, http://83rdinfdivdocs.org - After Action Report
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, http://83rdinfdivdocs.org - David Heckman (cousin)