John B. McGill

Pvt John B McGill, US Army 31454422, was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, on March 16, 1916, and was employed as a machine operator. He was drafted March 9, 1944 at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, and trained at Fort McClellan, Alabama, before being sent to Europe as a rifleman with the 9th Infantry Division, 47th Infantry Regiment, E company ("Old Reliables.")

He was killed in action on November 24, 1944 during the Battle of the Huertgen Forest. His company was attacking the village of Huecheln while attached to the 1st Infantry Division. His Battalion was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions during that time period. He is buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Belgium, along with many others who gave their lives during the Battle of the Huertgen Forest. Under the grave adoption program at Henri-Chapelle, his grave is cared for and visited by a volunteer Belgian citizen. The program shows the great respect and honor that the people of Belgium wish to express as a tribute to those fallen soldiers buried there in these cemeteries, far away from home and family.