PFC John Harrison Self was born 5 Feb 1913, probably in Polk County, Missouri. He was the 5th of the 8 children born to Charles Walter and Retta B. (Burdett) Self. His father supported the family first as a farmer near Mooney, Missouri and then as a plasterer in Springfield, Missouri. The family was then living at 1921 North Howard Avenue in Springfield. Before 1935 they moved to 1057 East Commercial Street in Springfield where the rent was $10 a month less than the previous address. Several of the boys started out working as plasterers, presumably with their father. John did likewise but might not have liked that work as he took a jobs as a driver, a tinner, and even a laborer when the opportunity was available. John was still living at home in 1940 but was now working for the Lockwood Flour Mill.
John was drafted in October 1942. We are pretty certain that it was about that time that he married Lillie Belle Jenkins. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to E Company 116th Infantry. He probably had about 8-10 months to train with the unit for the amphibious landing that was to take place as part of the liberation of occupied France. PFC Self was taking part in that effort when he was killed in action on 6 Jun 1944 on or near Omaha Beach.
PFC Self was repatriated and re-interred in
Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Lillie never remarried and is buried next to John. The couple had no children.
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