Identified Envelope

Lt. John J. Luther

Lieutenant
John J. Luther

1st Lieutenant John J. Luther

John Jacob Luther was born on April 1, 1919, in Clay City, Indiana, to Mary E "Mayre" Burger (1896–1954) and John Jacob Luther Sr. (1889–1964). John J. Luther Jr. (#O-25597) was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with the class of January 1943.

'Dancing Jack' - a good name for this happy son of "I" Co. Just as he led the jitterbug sessions in summer camp and the dancing chorus in three 100th Nite Shows, ha has thoroughly enjoyed his cadet life. A happy song, a smile, and a kiddish grin have made Jack one of the best liked men of '43. Generous, helpful and efficient, these qualities assure him of a succesful life and happy career in whatever branch he chooses.
Source: Howitzer Yearbook (West Point, NY) - Class of January 1943.

As a cadet, Jack was well known and was one of the best-liked men in his class. He gave generously of his time in the numerous activities in wich he was involved - the Pointer, the Howitzer, the Hundredth Night Show, and the Camp Illumination Committee.
Source: 'The Class of January 1943 USMA 1943-1993'. A book of the 50th Anniversery of their graduation.

John Luther carried his West Point energetic spirit into his Army service. His first troop assignment was into the 83rd Infantry Division at Camp Atterbury. In April 1944, he deployed to England as a member of Hq Company, 1st Battalion, 329th Infantry Regiment at that time but was transferred to Company C of the same regiment later in the war where he was Company Commander before being evacuated after wounds received during the Battle of the Bulge. By that time John Luther had been wounded four times.

While fighting in Normandy with the 329th, Jack was wounded three thimes within one week. John "Jack" Luther received his Silver Star for his actions on July 5, 1944 in the vicinity of Culot, Normandy, France. On July 4, the big attack jumped off. The 2nd Bn (the only element of the regiment in the initial attack) tried to cross the swamp southwest of Carentan, but met heavy resistance from German paratroops and was unable to gain a foothold on the opposite bank. On the following day, the 3rd Bn, followed by the 1st, drove 2500 meters through hedgerow defenses to Culot, and although heavily counterattacked by SS troops, held their positions.

Silver Star Medal CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry), (then First Lieutenant) John Jacob Luther, Jr. (ASN: 0-25597), United States Army, for gallantry in action near Coulot, France, on 6 July 1944, while in command of Company C, 329th Infantry Regiment, 83d Infantry Division. When the enemy made an unexpected heavy counterattack during his absence at the battalion command post, he returned to his company, seized a Browning Automatic Rifle, and personally launched and led a small group of his men in a daring sortie against the flank of the hostile attach which repelled it. Returning to his lines, Major Luther was painfully wounded by enemy mortar fire. He refused to go to the aid station, but reorganized his company, reorganized the lines, and re-established the positions, despite heavy enemy fire. As a result of Major Luther's aggressiveness, disregard for personal safety, and leadership, the entire battalion position was saved.

After his first two wounds in Normandy, Jack refused to be evacuated because "no one who could walk could be spared". Evacuated after his third wound in July 1944, and after two months in a general hospital, he asked to rejoin his 329th Infantry Regiment, but this request was denied. He left the hospital with only the clothes on his pack and struck out to find his unit on his own, which he did on the eve of 9 November 1944 in Luxemburg. He was the Company Commander at the time of Thanksgiving 1944 (source: Thanksgiving menu of Bill Spriggs).

While fighting in the Battle of the Bulge he was more seriously wounded a fourth time. This happened on December 28, 1944 fighting in the vicinity of Rochefort with C Company trying to rescue the trapped GI's of Company B in the town. His fourth wound send him home for good. This time he was evacuated back to the United States where he was hospitalized until May 1945.
For his service he was awarded, among other decorations, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Silver Star Medal (for gallantry in action near Culot, France), the Bronze Star Medal (for meritorious service as a Company Commander) and the Purple Heart Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

John Luther was then assigned to the Tactical Department at West Point. There he made such a good impression on the visiting General Mark Clark, that the general had Jack Luther made his aide-de-camp. After more than three years in that assignment, Jack moved to Fort Lewis where he was assigned as battalion commander in the 2nd Infantry Division. In August 1949, he reported to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. While returning from Kansas City on a weekend, Jack was robbed and killed by an unknown assailant in February 1950.