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name
GILLIS, John Adam - Date of
birth
15 December 1920 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois -
Hometown
Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36186586 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Squad Leader -
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
317th Infantry Regiment,
80th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 October 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Sivry, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 15 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank Gillis (father)
Julia (Bielawa) Gillis (mother)
Theophilia Gillis (sister)
Thaddeus Gillis (brother)
Mary G. Gillis (sister)
Ruth A. Gillis (sister)
Elsie B. Gillis (sister)
Lydia Gillis (sister)
Joseph R. Gillis (brother)
More information
Sgt John A. Gillis graduated from Comstock Park High School, where he was a basketball star.He was employed by the American Seating Company before he enlisted in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 21 July 1942. He was sent overseas in August 1944.
He was reported missing in action on 4 October 1944 when his company entered Sivry to help G Company that was surrounded by enemy forces. The town was under enemy artillery and mortar fire during the whole day. During the night, the company withdrew.
Source of information: Leo Minne, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 Census / Cook County Birth Certificates, www.80thdivision.com, https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4945&context=gradschool_theses, www.newspapers.com - The Grand Rapids Press - 30 October 1944
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Laura S, www.newspapers.com - The Grand Rapids Press - 30 October 1944