Jack O. Kuns
World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Jack Kuns was born in Des Moines, IA on March 20, 1922, and was adopted by George and Beatrice (Berry) Kuns. Beatrice later married Fred Seitz and Jack was raised in Madrid, IA. He graduated from Madrid High School in 1940 and then attended William Penn College (now University) in Oskaloosa, IA.
Jack was inducted into the US Army on June 4, 1942, at Fort Des Moines, IA. He was assigned serial number 17 067 681. He was sent to Fort Leavenworth, KS for basic training. After completion, he was sent to Chicago, IL as a part of the newly reactivated XI Corps headquarters.
By May, 1943, Jack was a part of the 11th Ordnance Battalion stationed at Camp Forrest in southeastern Tennessee. This unit was trained to maintain and supply artillery ordnance as well as small arms ammunition. They also conducted some repair activity for tanks and artillery and were involved in neutralizing unexploded bombs. Jack was trained as a medic. On November 10, 1943, Jack and his unit moved to Camp Atterbury in south-central Indiana for additional training. By early 1944, the 11th Ordnance Battalion was preparing for transit to Europe.
On April 20, 1944, the 11th Ordnance Battalion sailed to England and was stationed at Tidworth which had been an Ordnance Depot during World War I. There they prepared for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Although they did not participate in the landings on June 6, 1944, they did cross the English Channel shortly thereafter and supported the heavy fighting in the hedgerows. By the end of July, 1944, US troops finally were able to break out at St. Lo and begin moving across France. Jack was able to experience the euphoria of the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944. He served in France and in Germany as US troops advanced. The Germans surrendered on May 8, 1945.
The 1949 Bonus application prepared by Jack indicates he was discharged on November 20, 1945. However, another document suggests he may have stayed in Paris after that time. A manifest indicates he returned to the United States with an AGO card issued in Paris on November 21, 1945. He sailed on the USAT General M. B. Stewart from Bremerhaven, Germany on October 10, 1946, arriving in New York on October 19.
Jack re-enlisted in the US Army in 1947 and, on the 1949 Bonus application, indicates he was under the command of the 5305th Army and Air Force recruiting station in Gary, IN. He was later to serve in the Korean War during 1952. He left the US Army after 11 years of service.
Jack enlisted in the US Air Force on March 9, 1957. While in the Air Force, he was able to be trained as a Physician’s Assistant with a specialty in Ear, Nose and Throat care. In 1968, Jack served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. He retired from the Air Force on September 30, 1973, as a Master Sergeant (E-7) after almost 17 years of service.
Jack moved to Templeton and, during December, 1973, was hired as the senior medical technician by the Carroll County Ambulance Commission. On July 13, 1974, he married Virgene Schact Eich. They lived in Templeton for over 25 years. Jack died on April 25, 2007, at Knoxville, IA at age 85. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.