PFC John Rodriguez Velasquez

courtesy of Clifton Baccus

PFC John Rodriguez Velasquez was born 8 Feb 1924 in Seguin, Texas. He was the 7th of 10 children born to Seledonio and Tereza (Luna) Rodriguez. His father worked as farm labor in the area. Although the family was not wealthy, 4 members of the family working in 1939 reported a total income of $780, John was able to complete high school. After graduation, John got a job doing farm work for Mr. U. F. Hollaman in Port Lavaca, Texas. 

John was drafted in January 1944 and after completing his basic military training was sent to the European theater. PVT Velasquez was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 5 Sep 1944 while the unit was involved in the fighting with Nazi forces at Brest, France. He was promoted to PFC on 21 Sep 1944 having survived that fight. PFC Velasquez continued to fight with F Company as the regiment moved into Germany and was killed in action in the vicinity of Koslar, Germany on 23 Nov 1944.

PFC Velasquez was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Port Lavaca Cemetery in Port Lavaca, Texas.