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name
USHER, John Palmer - Date of
birth
1908 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -
Hometown
Franklin County, Kansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-269564 -
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel -
Function
unknown -
Unit
28th Infantry Regiment,
8th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 October 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Wiltz, Luxembourg
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 3 | 33 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Linton J. Usher (father)
Charlotte M. (Dicker) Usher (mother)
Lucy Usher (sister)
Margaret Usher (sister)
Bessie L. (Hammer) Usher (wife)
Betty J. Usher (daughter)
Linton J. Usher (son)
More information
The hilly wooded terrain of Luxembourg afforded the enemy ample opportunity for infiltration, ambush and the more treacherous methods of Nazi warfare. During daylight on 7 October, a vehicle bearing Lt Col Frederick J. Bailey and Lt Col John P. Usher, was traveling well in the rear of the front lines when it was stopped by what appeared to be a US Army Captain and Sergeant, standing by a halted American jeep. Pulling alongside and hearing the Captain talking wildly in German, although they wore American combat jackets and helmets, the officers opened fire and killed the two men. An enemy machine gun and at least one rocket launcher opened fire from the edge of the woods. Realizing that they had driven into an ambush, the American officers dismounted and started shooting it out with the Germans. Lt Col Usher was killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Astrid van Erp, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - Dicker Family Tree
Photo source: Peter Schouteten