Remembrance | John Stokes

Medics Administer A Plasma Transfusion To A Wounded Soldier On Omaha Beach On D-Day

After 2 years and 1 month of loyal, brave, and noble service in the U.S. Navy, John Hinchman Stokes Jr. died on June 6, 1944 on Utah beach. He was a Senior Lieutenant at the time of his killing.

Eulogy

John Hinchman Stokes's Burial Stone

Senior Lieutenant John Hinchman Stokes had an amazing life. He grew up with a loving happy family. He was taught to help others by his Father and ended up following in his footsteps by being a physician. He went to college and left with a degree and a soul mate. He and his sole mate, Bertha Pickard, were married soon after. He was ready to settle down and have a family with her, but duty called and he valiantly answered. Stokes gave all he had in the Navy and was zealously dedicated to saving whoever he could. He is an inspiration to anybody who hears his tale. To be like Stokes is to be selfless in the face of danger, to put your country above yourself, and to truly care for others and the world around you. He is deserving of the recognition and praise of his entire nation, and I am personally extremely glad I was able to discover his story and potentially give him a fraction of the distinction he has a claim to.

Stokes's Awards

Purple Heart

The purple heart medal is given to soldiers who were injured as a result of enemy action and were medically treated by another officer.

Combat Action Ribbon

This ribbon is given to Naval service members who actively participated in surface or ground combat.

WWII Victory Medal

This medal was given to all members of the armed services who participated in the WWII.

American Campaign Medal

This medal was distributed to those who had participated in the American theater of operations during WWII.

Navy Presidential Unit Citation

This award was and continues to be given to units of the armed services who show extreme valor in the face of immense pressure and danger.

Navy Good Conduct Medal

This medal is given to any service member who gives three or more consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service".

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

The medal was awarded to any soldier who served within the boundaries set by executive order 9265:

From the North Pole, south along the 75th meridian west longitude to the 77th parallel north latitude, thence southeast through Davis Strait to the intersection of the 40th parallel north latitude and the 35th meridian west longitude, thence south along that meridian to the 10th parallel north latitude, thence southeast to the intersection of the equator and the 20th meridian west longitude, thence along the 20th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. East boundary—From the North Pole, south along the 60th meridian east longitude to its intersection with the eastern border of Iran, thence south along that border to the Gulf of Oman and the intersection of the 60th meridian east longitude, thence south along the 60th meridian east longitude to the South Pole.

Navy Expeditionary Medal

The medal was given to those who landed in enemy territory and took action against armed opposition.

St. Mere Eglise Cemetery

St. Mere Eglise Cemetery, St. Mere Eglise, France

St. Mere Eglise Cemetery was a temporary cemetery constructed in St Mere Eglise, France, the first French town to be liberated by the allies and an important strategical location. The cemetery no longer exists, but its proximity to the beaches of Normandy ensured it had many occupants. The cemetery is a field with cross gravestones lined in rows and many graves without gravestones.

The town was founded in the 11th century, and is very famous for its involvement in the war. During the towns retaking, a paratrooper, John Steele, was stuck onto the church by his parachute, and a human effigy of him and his parachute are still hanging there today as a memorial.