Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Somers received a letter from the adjutant general of the Army informing them that by direction of the President the Silver Star had been posthumously awarded to their son, Lieutenant John G. Somers, Jr., formerly and officer in the 329th Infantry of the 83r Division and assigned to Co. I. the citation is as follows:
“For distinguishing himself by gallantry in action on 10 July 1944, in . . . When the advance of his platoon was held up by enemy high velocity and machine gun fire from two tanks, Lieutenant Somers unhesitatingly led two rocket launcher teams forward where they knocked out on o the tanks. When on of the teams became disabled, Lieutenant Somers retrieved the rocket launcher and knocked out the second tank. His cool daring was responsible for the continued advance of his platoon. The outstanding leadership and courageous devotion to duty of this officer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the finest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.”
Lieutenant Somers was killed in action while on reconnaissance ahead of his company, August 8, 1944 in the outskirts of St. Malo, France.
He had lived all his life in Newton, had been educated in the schools of Newton, and Kansas University, where he had prepared himself for the practice of law, hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He went into the service of his country willingly, having been associated with his father, and sharing his ideals along that line. He would have been twenty-three years of age, had he lived until October 11, 1944.
