John McGrath (soldier)
| John McGrath | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Jack |
| Born |
December 12, 1919 Carlstadt, New Jersey |
| Died |
April 24, 2012 (age 92) Elmwood Park, New Jersey |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army |
| Rank |
 Technician Fifth Grade |
| Unit |
 Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Silver Star Bronze Star (w. OLC) |
| Relations |
Irene Blauvelt (wife) John Jr. and James (sons) |
| Other work | Truck driver, firefighter |
Technician fifth grade John "Jack" McGrath, Sr. (c. 1919 – April 24, 2012) was a United States Army soldier who served with Easy Company during World War II. He is mentioned in the book Band of Brothers, written by historian Stephen E. Ambrose,[1] and was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Stephen Walters.
Military service
McGrath was drafted into the army, and he volunteered for paratrooper. He joined Easy Company at Fort Bragg. McGrath made a combat jump into Normandy on D-Day. On June 13, 1944, he and Lt. Harry Welsh knocked out a German StuG III assault gun with a bazooka during the Battle of Bloody Gulch near Carentan. During the war, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star Medal with clusters.
Later life
After the war he worked as a truck driver and as a volunteer firefighter, and served as fire chief from 1970 to 1971, and later as a fire inspector. He was married to Irene (née Blauvelt) McGrath for 64 years; they had two sons, John Jr. and James.[2]
References
- ↑ Levin, Jay (25 April 2012). "John 'Jack' McGrath of Elmwood Park, hero depicted in 'Band of Brothers,' dies at 92". northjersey.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ↑ "John 'Jack' McGrath Sr. Obituary". The Star-Ledger. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2013.