S/Sgt. John Samuel Justus was born in Bellwood, Illinois, on December 17, 1917, to Fred Justus and Sophia Thierbach-Justus, and had two sisters and three brothers. His family resided at 2614 Glos Avenue, Bellwood, Illinois. He graduated from Roosevelt School and Proviso Township High School, Maywood, Illinois, in 1936. After high school, he worked at Jefferson Electric Company in Bellwood.
When the Selective Service Act became law on October 16, 1940, he registered for the draft and named his mother as his contact person. He was inducted into the US Army on May 15, 1942, in Chicago, and received the serial number 36 339 260. It is not known where he did his basic training. It Is known that he became a member of B Company, 169th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division, and appears to have joined the unit at Fort Ord, California, where the 43rd was preparing to leave the United States. The division moved to San Francisco on October 1st and arrived in New Zealand on October 22nd. In New Zealand John’s regiment trained until November 22nd. They were sent to Nouméa, New Caledonia and garrisoned the island where the unit took part in intensive jungle warfare training before it was sent into combat in the Southwest Pacific. It was during this time that John wrote a letter his friend.
Mon Feb 1, 1943
Somewhere in the Pacific
Dear Les and Friends;
Just dropping a few lines to let you know I’m still alive and kicking around. I’m taking time out for awhile and dropping a line to you all. I to first say first say “Thank you” to you Les for the way I’ve received the Star Progress so many times (the Bellwood paper). I sure enjoy reading it and its swell to read of what’s what and who’s who at home. I hope to keep getting it. I hope this article will do justice in expressing my thanks to you and the paper. Also I want to thank the many people for the nice letters wrote to me. A letter means an offer lot to fellows in the service. Letters and the Progress are alle we have to keep us in touch with things at home.
Well, I’m sorry I didn’t get a furlough at least once and to see you all. Instead I got a trip overseas. I’m not angry though, as I have seen and learned plenty. More than I ever dreamed I could. I always did like to travel. I would have liked to see the town and all my friends and most of all my folks just before I came over. Oh well, wishing doesn’t do any good, so I’ll see you all after this is all over and we get back together. That will make the celebration double. I would like to tell you where I am at but I can’t. This is the second place I’ve been to since I came over. I was in an English speaking place first and now I am in a French speaking Island. Where am I? All I can say is that I’m over the equator, across the International Date Line, on a French speaking Island, somewhere in the Southwest Pacific. If any of you know where I am at, why do me a favor Send a couple of cases of beer, as this is a dry place.
Well, I’ll close now as there isn’t much more to say. I’m in the best of health and in good condition. I hope you are all the sae, God bless you all always. If any of you would like to write to me why go ahead. I’ll see that your letters are answered. I would like to hear from any of my friends and also the fellows in the service. They can get my address from the Star-Progress office.
I wish any everyone of my Buddies in the services the best of luck, where ever they are doing their share to win this war. Bellwood cab be proud of its boys and girls and women who are helping in the common cause of freeing the world form the barbarism and slavery.
The families in the town are sending their own as our family is doing. My folks are becoming veterans. There are 3 of us already and the fourth will be in soon, either in the Navy or Army. I know how hard it is on you folks who have loved ones in the Services hare and there. Keep your chins up and we’ll all be together soon. I predict we’ll see Christmas at home this year.\, 1943. Good luck to those who are leaving soon,
Well, before I close, I want to say thanks again, Les, for sending me the paper. I look forward to getting it. So long for awhile everyone.
Just an old Bellwoodian.
P. F. C. John Justus
P. S. I want to wish all the boys at (illegible) and Kempfs a lot of luck. How’s the beer boys, have one for me, make it two. I hear the town is looking kind of dead. With all the old fellows only around and the young ones gone. I guess all the men 40 or over are playing hard to get. (Ha) I don’t blame them.
The unit sailed on February 15, 1943, for Guadalcanal. During the 169th’s trip their convoy was attacked by Japanese torpedo boats and planes. It appears that no ships were lost. Two of the 169th’s battalions, the 1at and 2nd, made landings on the island of Pavuvu in the Russell Islands without resistance. Once on the island, the unit was strafed by Japanese planes resulting in casualties. The 169th’s 3rd Battalion landed on the 27th. During the unit’s time on the island they took part in jungle warfare training.
John’s regiment next took part in the Invasion of New Georgia and took Rendova Island, on June 30th, and met minimal resistance. Parts of the 69th landed on the southern coast of New Georgia, on July 2nd, with the 172nd Regiment. The fight inland through the jungle was difficult. Casualties were heavy with an estimated 600 wounded and 90 men known dead. The units objective of taking the Munda Airfield was not achieved until August 5th. The 169th was relieved on August 20th. They then cleared Arudel Island, with the 172nd. They again were given the job of defending Munda Airfield until January 19th when they were sent to New Zealand for rest. In July 1944, the 169th was on New Guinea constructing defensive lines against the Japanese. The unit fought the Japanese until the island was declared secure on August 25, 1944. During this time, John rose in rank from private first class to staff sergeant.
On January 9, 1945, the 169th landed at San Fabian on Luzon, Philippine Islands. All three battalions of the 169th earned distinguished unit citations for their fight against the Japanese defenders in the rugged hills of Luzon. It was at this time, on January 24, 1945, that S/Sgt. John Justus was killed in action when he was hit by mortar shell fragments. The next day he was buried, in a shelter half, in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, San Fabian #1, Luzon, in Plot 2, Row 15, Grave 200. His parents received a telegram from the War Department telling them of his death.
In early 945, the American Graves Registration Service began to recover the dead in the Philippines, this included the men who had fought on Luzon from December 1941 to April 9, 1942, when Bataan was surrendered. In April 1945, John’s remains were exhumed and moved to the USAF Cemetery #1, Santa Barbara, Luzon. Even though his grave had been known, his dental charts were used to confirm identification. His mother received a letter dated September 24, 1946, telling her the location of John was buried in Row 59, Grave 3121 in the cemetery. She also was told that in another letter that she would be provided with information on John’s final burial.
In a letter dated October 7, 1947, his mother was sent information on her options for John’s final burial. She was asked to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where she wanted John buried. The Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, received the completed form on October 28th which indicated that his parents wanted John returned to the United States for burial.
John’s remains were exhumed and casketed. His casket was put on the USAT Morris E. Crain on June 9, 1948, and the ship sailed. The ship arrived at Ft. Mason in the San Francisco Port of Entry on June 28th and sent by train, with a military escort, to the Quartermaster Corp Distribution Center #8, Chicago, arriving on the 31st. On August 13, 1948, his casket was taken in a military hearse, with a escort, to the Paul W. Senne Funeral Home in Maywood. The next day, a memorial service was held at the funeral home. S/Sgt. John Justis was buried in Elm Lawn Cemetery. Elmhurst., Illinois, on August 14, 1948.
