Pfc. John J. Cupina Jr.
42118716
G company, 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
February 11, 1926 - April 25, 2018
Pfc. John J. Cupina Jr.
42118716
G company, 329th Infantry Regiment
83rd Infantry Division
Awards and decorations
Biography and Wartime Service
John James Cupina was born on February 11, 1926, in New York, NY, to Barbara Dora Klenotiz and John W Cupina.
Following testimony by John Cupina was first published in the 1987 History of the 83rd Infantry Division
After taking my basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, I was sent to join the 69th Division at Camp Shelby, Miss. After months of field training, we headed overseas and landed in England. We stayed at Winchester Barracks. On Christmas Day 1944, I left as a replacement to join the 83rd Division in Belgium.
I was accompanied by my two best friends at squad mates, Hershel Martin and Eugene Jenkins. We were again together right to the end of the war. None of us had been injured. We also remained together as army of occupation. When the 83rd went home we were sent to the 42nd Division. Still remaining together until our departure home. I always thought it unique that we were never seperated.
I am now retired, after spending 34 years as a firefighter. Still a bachelor, I have resided at the family home for over 48 years. I had 3 sisters and 2 brothers. My older brother Joe was killed on Aug. 1, 1943 bombing raid of the Ploesti oil fields. He is now buried at the Ardennes Military Cemetery in Belgium.
John J. Cupina passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at the Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, New York.
Gallery
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