John Mansfield was born at Ballinroad, Old Parish on
6th February 1906, the son of James Mansfield and Bridget Mansfield (Née Power). He was educated at Ballymacart
National School and later at C.B.S. Dungarvan.
He emigrated to America in 1924.
John volunteered to join the U.S. Army in February 1942
just over two months after the attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7,
1941. Although he was 36 years old at
the time, he believed that he would be drafted shortly and by volunteering he
was allowed to choose the branch of the army he wanted. He chose the Armored Corps and after basic
training, he was assigned to the newly activated 4th Armored Division formed at
Fort Knox, Kentucky in June 1942. The 4th Armored Division was assigned to Patton's
3rd Army and he served the entire war with this division. The division was known as "Paton's Pride
and Joy", having had the most days in combat of any unit of the 3rd Army.
John was very proud of the 4th Armored Division which
engaged in 17 major battles from Normandy to Czechoslovakia. It was the stellar Armored Division of the
3rd Army, and perhaps of all American divisions that served in the European
campaign. John was twice wounded and
many times decorated. He received the
following awards:
BRONZE HEART for Valour in the Battle of the Bulge
(Bastonge, Belgium)
PURPLE HEART WITH CLUSTER which means he received this
Medal twice for being wounded at Normandy and then near Metz in France.
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN Ribbon with
seven battle stars which means he fought in seven major engagements in France,
Belgium and Germany.
DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION received by all members of
the 51st Armoured Infantry Battalion who served during the breakout of the
Normandy Beachhead.
OCCUPATION OF GERMANY MEDAL
AMERICAN DEFENCE MEDAL
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
French and Belgian Decorations.
He was honourably discharged from the Military Service
of the United States of America on 19th October 1945 when he returned to New
York where he died on 1st July 1965.
John Mansfield's military dog tags and a selection of
his medals, including his Purple Heart, are on display in Waterford County
Museum.
