John ‘Jack’ Curran

Birthplace: Elizabeth, NJ

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: 3118 Signal Service/ Co. D

Theater of Operation: European

Enlisted / Commissioned: Jul 23, 1941

Discharged: Dec 12, 2000

Honored By: Wife, Peg; children: John & Ellen, Micki & Paul, Kathy & John, Dan & Jackie

Jack received his training as a cryptographer at Ft. Monmouth and was transferred to Military Intelligence in the War Department in Washington, DC. He was soon promoted to Master Sergeant and sent to serve with the Military Attaché in London. In 1944, he became a member of SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces) and went to Paris and Versailles as a 2nd Lieutenant at General Eisenhower’s headquarters. On May 7, 1945, in the early morning hours, in a little red schoolhouse in Rheims, France (Eisenhower’s forward SHAEF HQ), Jack found himself on duty and responsible for sending the initial ‘cease fire and surrender’ messages announcing the German surrender. May 8th, V-E Day, celebrating the end of the war in Europe will forever be a part of history. Following the surrender, Jack went to Frankfurt and concluded his career as a code officer at the Farben building. He received the Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, European Theater ribbon, Meritorious Service Unit Plaque, European African Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. Jack served his country with honor and was proud to have served under General Dwight D. Eisenhower.