John Ranta
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
RANTA, John
John Ranta was born on April 8th 1910 to Ida & Ranta in Chisholm, Minnesota
Mr. Ranta was inducted into the U.S. Army on January 31st 1943, at Fort Snelling. Minnesota. Home at entry: Chisholm.
He served as an electrician with Headquarters Battery of the 66th Division Artillery on Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He rose to the rank of a Technician 5th Grade (TEC5).
TEC Ranta earned the following merits for his service:
- Presidential Unit Citation,
- Good Conduct Medal,
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 bronze battle stars,
- World War II Victory Medal, -and-
- four overseas service bars.
He was honorably discharged on November 17th 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. After the war he returned home and married Ilona H. Ranta and they started a family.
Mr. Ranta died on January 25th 1968 at 57 years of age in Chisholm. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Chisholm.
Source(s): Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 261.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3
Ilona H Ranta Ranta (1912-2007) - Find a Grave Memorial
