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Pfc John R. McKinney Jr. was employed by the Strand Theater in Shreveport, Louisiana before he enlisted.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for heroic service in connection with military operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Han, France on 29 September 1944. The citation cited: When the division civil affairs officer received information that 81 small children evacuees from Paris, were in a chateau in the village of Han, Pvt McKinney immediately volunteered to assist in a rescue despite the fact that the village and all roads leading into it were being subjected to heavy concentrations of enemy artillery and mortar fire. The rescue party moved four trucks into a point within 1,000 yards of the village, there leaving the vehicles because of the enemy fire and observation hazard. The rescue group then made a number of trips to the chateau, carried the smalle children and led the others to the assembly point, and evacuated all the children to a place of safety without a single casualty. The courageous and unhesitating actions of Pvt McKinney undoubtedly saved the lives of a considerable number of helpless children.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Militery Cemetery in Andilly, France.