John R. Schaffner, born on August 11, 1924, entered the U. S. Army on March 7, 1943.
Assigned to Battery A, 589th Field Artillery Battalion, 106th Infantry Division, he took his basic training at Fort Jackson, SC from March 1943 through December 1943, at the Tennessee Maneuver Area on January, February and March 1944, at Camp Atterbury from April 1944 through October 1944 where he was transferred to B Battery 589th FAB in September 1944. November 1944 he was stationed at Camp Myles Standish and left for England from Boston Port of Embarkation on the USCGSS Wakefield on November 10 arriving November 17. He stayed at England and left for the ETO on December 1, 1944 from Glouster, England. After the demise of the 589th Field Artillery Battalion from January 1945 through April 1945 he served with the 592nd Field Artillery Battalion. In April 1945 he rejoined A Battery, 589th Field Artillery Battalion which was by then brought back to strength.
On August 11, 1945 he was re-assigned to B Battery, 385th Field Artillery Battalion, 104th Infantry Division and returned to the United States with them.John Schaffner was honrably discharged at Camp San Luis Obispo, California on November 30, 1945, as Corporal MOS: 761 Scout.
John Schaffner was decorated with the American Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern service medal with four campaign stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the WW II Victory Medal, the French Croix de Guerre with Silver Gilt Star (awarded to the 589th FAB for their actions at Baraque de Fraiture), the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and the Meritorious Unit Emblem and has the Expert Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar.
John married June 12, 1948 to Lillian Schlutz in Baltimore, MD. and they have 3 children
He still lives in Cockeysville, MD
You can find also a story of John F. Gatens at the website of Henri Rogister www.battleofthebulgememories.be
