John V. Kramer
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Photo: Mr. Kramer (far right) at Lowry Field, Colorado, 1943. “I was nineteen years of age.”
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John V. Kramer served in World War II in the European Theater.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces beginning on March 18, 1943. Mr. Kramer received the lion’s share of his training at Lowry Field, Colorado, and Midland Army Air Field, Texas. He was assigned to the 15th Army Air Force, 463rd Bomb Group (Heavy). He served in Foggia, Italy, as his main base, working on B-17 heavy bombers, Norden bombsights, and Honeywell auto pilots. After the war, he was discharged.
Mr. Kramer then enlisted with the Air National Guard and was assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division, 724th Combat Engineer Battalion. His unit was activated in 1961 and 1962 by President J. F. Kennedy in connection with the Berlin Airlift. He spent three months training for winter survival and skiing at Fort Greeley, Alaska. He was discharged in February 1968.
His rank was Captain.
Mr. Kramer was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1924, the son of John J. and Vera (Boyd) Kramer. He graduated from high school in 1942.
He was decorated with the European-African-Middle Eastern Medal with four Bronze Stars; the Presidential Unit Citation; the Eisenhower Unit Citation with four clasps; the Berlin Crisis Medal; the Wisconsin Long Service Medal with three clasps; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ten-year device; the World War II Victory Medal.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form
“Most of my training was at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado, and Midland Air Force Base in Midland, Texas. Overseas at Foggia, Italy, as main base working on B-17 heavy bombers, on Norden bombsights, and Honeywell Automatic Pilots. Had rest leaves in Rome, Naples, Milan, and twice in Switzerland. After returning and being discharged, enlisted in 32nd Infantry Division, 724th Combat Engineer Battalion, and we were called back into service in 1961 and 1962 by President J. F. Kennedy, and I spent 3 months at Fort Greeley, Alaska, at the winter survival and ski school. I also am a retired military with over 21 years of service.”
