SGT John Laird

courtesy of Frogman

SGT John Laird was born 20 Sep 1910 in Layland, West Virginia to David and Elizabeth Laird. John went to Scotland to visit family and returned via Halifax, Canada in 1927.

John entered service in February 1942 and went to England in September 1942, perhaps already assigned to A Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault that would take place on the French beach code-named Omaha. He was one of the few of A Company that survived the landing and continued to fight with the unit until wounded on 23 Jun 1944.  He was sent to the field hospital but returned to A Company the next day (24 Jun 1944).  SGT Laird was killed in action on 6 Aug 1944.

SGT Laird was buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Brother Alvin Laird was a SSG in E Company 113rd Infantry and brother Gilbert Laird also served during the war.