PFC John N. Reese Jr. -- Ft. Gibson National Cemetery -- Fort Gibson, OK
N 35° 48.280 W 095° 13.800
15S E 298504 N 3964578
Resting place of US Army Private First Class (PFC) John N. Reese Jr., a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery in action at the Paco Railroad Station attack near Manila, Phillippines, during WWII.
Waymark Code: WMF54Q
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 08/24/2012
Views: 3
PFC John N. Reese Jr., a Native American member of the Cherokee Tribe, was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He served with Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division, US Army.
His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously, as PFC Reese was killed in the action he was commended for. The citation reads as follows:
[PFC Reese] was engaged in the attack on the Paco Railroad Station, which was strongly defended by 300 determined enemy soldiers with machine guns and rifles, supported by several pillboxes, 3 20mm. guns, 1 37-mm. gun and heavy mortars. While making a frontal assault across an open field, his platoon was halted 100 yards from the station by intense enemy fire. On his own initiative he left the platoon, accompanied by a comrade, and continued forward to a house 60 yards from the objective. Although under constant enemy observation, the 2 men remained in this position for an hour, firing at targets of opportunity, killing more than 35 Japanese and wounding many more. Moving closer to the station and discovering a group of Japanese replacements attempting to reach pillboxes, they opened heavy fire, killed more than 40 and stopped all subsequent attempts to man the emplacements. Enemy fire became more intense as they advanced to within 20 yards of the station. From that point Pfc. Reese provided effective covering fire and courageously drew enemy fire to himself while his companion killed 7 Japanese and destroyed a 20-mm. gun and heavy machinegun with handgrenades. With their ammunition running low, the 2 men started to return to the American lines, alternately providing covering fire for each other as they withdrew. During this movement, Pfc. Reese was killed by enemy fire as he reloaded his rifle. The intrepid team, in 2½ hours of fierce fighting, killed more than 82 Japanese, completely disorganized their defense and paved the way for subsequent complete defeat of the enemy at this strong point. By his gallant determination in the face of tremendous odds, aggressive fighting spirit, and extreme heroism at the cost of his life, Pfc. Reese materially aided the advance of our troops in Manila and providing a lasting inspiration to all those with whom he served.
Armed Service: Army
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