S/Sgt. John Guthrie was part of the Airborne: 503rd Regimental Combat team during World War II
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Arriving on Negros Island Philippines we boarded trucks and were moved inland. The 40th Div. was already in combat on the island, and we were moved to their left flank, to engage the troops that were flanking the 40th Div. Our fighting was always uphill, the Japanese were dug in so we had to rout them out. Paratroopers have no heavy weapons so it all had to be done with small arms. I have no idea how many men were killed as we moved forward, but one I will never forget . On patrol in the foothills of the mountains, in an area of rain forest we came upon a patrol of Americans we assumed were from the 40th Div. We shouted and waved to attract their attention, they in turn opened fire. A trooper named Guthrie was hit but the bullet struck a grenade on his webbing. We all heard the detonator go off. As the grenade dropped to the ground, every one hit the dirt. Guthrie threw himself on the grenade to protect the rest of the squad. Guthrie was given no medal for bravery because our commander did not believe in giving medals.
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There's no doubt in my mind that S/Sgt. John M. Guthrie, late of Arkansas, who died on 22 May 1945, saved my life, and the lives of others, and got not enough recognition for his selfless act.
Chet Nycum
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Arriving on Negros Island Philippines we boarded trucks and were moved inland. The 40th Div. was already in combat on the island, and we were moved to their left flank, to engage the troops that were flanking the 40th Div. Our fighting was always uphill, the Japanese were dug in so we had to rout them out. Paratroopers have no heavy weapons so it all had to be done with small arms. I have no idea how many men were killed as we moved forward, but one I will never forget . On patrol in the foothills of the mountains, in an area of rain forest we came upon a patrol of Americans we assumed were from the 40th Div. We shouted and waved to attract their attention, they in turn opened fire. A trooper named Guthrie was hit but the bullet struck a grenade on his webbing. We all heard the detonator go off. As the grenade dropped to the ground, every one hit the dirt. Guthrie threw himself on the grenade to protect the rest of the squad. Guthrie was given no medal for bravery because our commander did not believe in giving medals.
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There's no doubt in my mind that S/Sgt. John M. Guthrie, late of Arkansas, who died on 22 May 1945, saved my life, and the lives of others, and got not enough recognition for his selfless act.
Chet Nycum
S/Sgt. John Guthrie was part of the Airborne: 503rd Regimental Combat team during World War II
-------------------------------------------
Arriving on Negros Island Philippines we boarded trucks and were moved inland. The 40th Div. was already in combat on the island, and we were moved to their left flank, to engage the troops that were flanking the 40th Div. Our fighting was always uphill, the Japanese were dug in so we had to rout them out. Paratroopers have no heavy weapons so it all had to be done with small arms. I have no idea how many men were killed as we moved forward, but one I will never forget . On patrol in the foothills of the mountains, in an area of rain forest we came upon a patrol of Americans we assumed were from the 40th Div. We shouted and waved to attract their attention, they in turn opened fire. A trooper named Guthrie was hit but the bullet struck a grenade on his webbing. We all heard the detonator go off. As the grenade dropped to the ground, every one hit the dirt. Guthrie threw himself on the grenade to protect the rest of the squad. Guthrie was given no medal for bravery because our commander did not believe in giving medals.
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There's no doubt in my mind that S/Sgt. John M. Guthrie, late of Arkansas, who died on 22 May 1945, saved my life, and the lives of others, and got not enough recognition for his selfless act.
Chet Nycum
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Arriving on Negros Island Philippines we boarded trucks and were moved inland. The 40th Div. was already in combat on the island, and we were moved to their left flank, to engage the troops that were flanking the 40th Div. Our fighting was always uphill, the Japanese were dug in so we had to rout them out. Paratroopers have no heavy weapons so it all had to be done with small arms. I have no idea how many men were killed as we moved forward, but one I will never forget . On patrol in the foothills of the mountains, in an area of rain forest we came upon a patrol of Americans we assumed were from the 40th Div. We shouted and waved to attract their attention, they in turn opened fire. A trooper named Guthrie was hit but the bullet struck a grenade on his webbing. We all heard the detonator go off. As the grenade dropped to the ground, every one hit the dirt. Guthrie threw himself on the grenade to protect the rest of the squad. Guthrie was given no medal for bravery because our commander did not believe in giving medals.
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There's no doubt in my mind that S/Sgt. John M. Guthrie, late of Arkansas, who died on 22 May 1945, saved my life, and the lives of others, and got not enough recognition for his selfless act.
Chet Nycum
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Arkansas.
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