WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - Tech Sgt John Robert Bassler

Tech Sgt John Robert Bassler

 

Born in Richland County, Ohio, on April 26, 1923, John Bassler was the son of Mary Ozella (Stuff) and Albert Tobias Bassler. Before 1930, the couple divorced, and John's father remarried and settled in Hicksville, while his mother and her children went back to her home in Richland County.

In the 1940 census, John, who was 16, had a job with his maternal uncle, working as a farm hand. On June 18, 1941, John filled out his draft registration card in Richland County, noting he was 5'9" tall and 130 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion.  

In 1941, he was working at the Defiance Wrecking Company, employed by Ray Leever at the wrecking yard south of Defiance. Then he went back to Mansfield and enlisted there.

In July 1941, he was sent on to training:

"GOES TO MEDICAL CORP

John R. Bassler, route 8, has been sent from Fort Hayes, Columbus to the Medical Corps Replacement Training Center at Camp Lee, Va."

The Crescent-News, July 10, 1941

He was sent overseas to England with the 112th Division, 28th Infantry. On July 22, 1944, the 28th Infantry landed in Normandy, and then they moved into Germany. Sgt. Bassler died in the invasion of Germany at Kries-Duren, Nordrhein, Westfalen, on September 20, 1944 at the age of 21.

The Sandusky Register reported on October 13, 1944:

"Mrs. Edsell Runyan of White Av. received a telegram from the War Department stating that her son, T-Sgt, John Bassler, 21, had been killed in action in Germany.

Enlisting at the age of 17, Sgt. Bassler left from the Mansfield area for training before going overseas. He had taken part in many French actions. As head of his company, he recently transferred to the German theater of the war."

(

His mother had a third marriage - Adolph Bassler, Edsel Runyan, Raymond Brotherson.)

Back in Mansfield, the News Journal also reported on October 13, 1944:

"ONE ASHLAND YOUTH KILLED, TWO MISSING.

In Service Four Years, Sgt. John Bassler Dies in German Battle.

Ashland - One Ashland County serviceman is reported killed in action and two others are missing; relatives here have been notified.

Killed in Germany is Tech. Sgt John Bassler, 21, whose mother, Mrs. Edsell Runyan, has received a telegram informing her of the death of her son. Sgt. Bassler enlisted when he was 17 and took part in the French invasion before being sent into Germany..."

Tech Sgt. Bassler received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service. He was buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liage, Belgium.

Dianne Kline, Researcher