John Arrington, Jr. was the oldest of three children. His Father was a grocer and his mother a school teacher. His Mother died of a heart attack when he was ten years of age and it was a struggle for his father to keep the family together during the depression. He had to work at an early age to help support the family since his Father went broke due to the depression. In 1935 at the age of 16, he came to Long Beach, California seeking employment during the depression from Oklahoma. He was self-supporting since the age of 15.
John attended Poly High School and California Trade School where he learned ship fitting and blue print reading. He finally obtained his High School Diploma at California Trade School in 1940 at the age of 21. Thereafter, he went to work at the Long Beach Ship Yards as a Ship Fitter. He was a member of the Steel Workers Union.
John entered the military service in 1943 as a member of the Army Tank Corps, 605th Tank Battalion. He attained a rank of Sergeant. While in action against German tanks, his tank was hit by German tank artillery and he suffered numerous wounds and injury to both his arms, back and head. This occurred on March 4, 1945 near the Rhine River in Germany. He was given medals for his service including a Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was given an honorable 100% percent medical disability discharge from the Army one month after VJ Day. He returned to Long Beach and continued working as a ship fitter.
John married Doris Mae Kirkpatrick in December, 1953 and from that union he fathered two sons. John was very active in the Masonic Lodge serving as "Monarch". He enjoyed cartooning and drawing.
John attended Poly High School and California Trade School where he learned ship fitting and blue print reading. He finally obtained his High School Diploma at California Trade School in 1940 at the age of 21. Thereafter, he went to work at the Long Beach Ship Yards as a Ship Fitter. He was a member of the Steel Workers Union.
John entered the military service in 1943 as a member of the Army Tank Corps, 605th Tank Battalion. He attained a rank of Sergeant. While in action against German tanks, his tank was hit by German tank artillery and he suffered numerous wounds and injury to both his arms, back and head. This occurred on March 4, 1945 near the Rhine River in Germany. He was given medals for his service including a Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was given an honorable 100% percent medical disability discharge from the Army one month after VJ Day. He returned to Long Beach and continued working as a ship fitter.
John married Doris Mae Kirkpatrick in December, 1953 and from that union he fathered two sons. John was very active in the Masonic Lodge serving as "Monarch". He enjoyed cartooning and drawing.
John Arrington, Jr. was the oldest of three children. His Father was a grocer and his mother a school teacher. His Mother died of a heart attack when he was ten years of age and it was a struggle for his father to keep the family together during the depression. He had to work at an early age to help support the family since his Father went broke due to the depression. In 1935 at the age of 16, he came to Long Beach, California seeking employment during the depression from Oklahoma. He was self-supporting since the age of 15.
John attended Poly High School and California Trade School where he learned ship fitting and blue print reading. He finally obtained his High School Diploma at California Trade School in 1940 at the age of 21. Thereafter, he went to work at the Long Beach Ship Yards as a Ship Fitter. He was a member of the Steel Workers Union.
John entered the military service in 1943 as a member of the Army Tank Corps, 605th Tank Battalion. He attained a rank of Sergeant. While in action against German tanks, his tank was hit by German tank artillery and he suffered numerous wounds and injury to both his arms, back and head. This occurred on March 4, 1945 near the Rhine River in Germany. He was given medals for his service including a Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was given an honorable 100% percent medical disability discharge from the Army one month after VJ Day. He returned to Long Beach and continued working as a ship fitter.
John married Doris Mae Kirkpatrick in December, 1953 and from that union he fathered two sons. John was very active in the Masonic Lodge serving as "Monarch". He enjoyed cartooning and drawing.
John attended Poly High School and California Trade School where he learned ship fitting and blue print reading. He finally obtained his High School Diploma at California Trade School in 1940 at the age of 21. Thereafter, he went to work at the Long Beach Ship Yards as a Ship Fitter. He was a member of the Steel Workers Union.
John entered the military service in 1943 as a member of the Army Tank Corps, 605th Tank Battalion. He attained a rank of Sergeant. While in action against German tanks, his tank was hit by German tank artillery and he suffered numerous wounds and injury to both his arms, back and head. This occurred on March 4, 1945 near the Rhine River in Germany. He was given medals for his service including a Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was given an honorable 100% percent medical disability discharge from the Army one month after VJ Day. He returned to Long Beach and continued working as a ship fitter.
John married Doris Mae Kirkpatrick in December, 1953 and from that union he fathered two sons. John was very active in the Masonic Lodge serving as "Monarch". He enjoyed cartooning and drawing.
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