John J. Van Valkenburg
Technician Fourth Grade, U.S. Army

During the period D-Day, 6 June through 5 July 1944, then-Private John J. Van Valkenburg was serving as a Medical Aidman with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, First U.S. Army.

On D-Day, PVT Van Valkenburg’s unit was in action against German forces at Normandy, France, when on 3 separate occasions he crossed open fields swept by German fire to administer aid to, and then evacuate, wounded men. On 14 June, under heavy German mortar and machine gun fire, PVT Van Valkenburg moved out 100 yards in front of the lines to render aid to a wounded man and carry him back to the safety of American lines. On 15 June, while accompanying a patrol, PVT Van Valkenburg left his place of cover and administered first aid to a wounded man in the middle of enemy mortar and small arms fire. Although PVT Van Valkenburg was wounded by mortar fire, he refused evacuation. On 5 July, PVT Van Valkenburg twice moved across open fields swept by machine gun fire to administer aid to wounded men. On this occasion, PVT Van Valkenburg was wounded a 2nd time. PVT Van Valkenburg’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (Germany)
Combat Medical Badge
Parachutist Badge with 2 Combat Jump Stars

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private John J. Van Valkenburg (ASN: 32743116), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces during the period 6 June 1944 through 5 July 1944, in France. On D-Day Private Van Valkenburg on three separate and distinct occasions crossed open fields swept by enemy fire to administer aid to and evacuate wounded men. On 14 June 1944, he moved out 100 yards in front of the lines under heavy enemy mortar and machine gun fire to render aid to a wounded man and to bring him back to the safety of his own lines. On 15 June 1944, while accompanying a patrol, he left his place of cover and administered first aid in the midst of mortar and small arms fire to a wounded man. Though wounded by mortar fire, he refused to be evacuated. On 5 July 1944, he twice moved across open fields swept by machine gun fire to administer aid to wounded men. On this latter occasion Private Van Valkenburg was again wounded. The gallantry and unselfish devotion to duty without regard for his own personal safety displayed by Private Van Valkenburg exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 45 (August 9, 1944)

Death and Burial

Technician Fourth Grade John J. Van Valkenburg died on 19 May 2000 in Wichita County, TX. He is buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Bexar County, TX, In Section 26, Site 2028.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62756285/john-j-van_valkenburg