Sgt. John F. Verian

John F. Verian, First Bellevillite to Die In Action In Germany Wounded in Tunisia, Sicily; Soldier Falls in Naziland

(Oct. 12, 1944) -- Sgt. John F. Verian, 22, of Washington Avenue, was killed in action in the midst of the Siegried Line in Germany.

Sgt. Verian landed in Oran, North Africa on Christmas Day 1942, six months after he entered the Army.

He was wounded in Tunisia while serving in the First Division.

Sgt. Verian was also wounded in the invasion of Sicily on July 10.

In January 1944 he went to England and was training the Yanks for five months in invasion tactics.

He landed in Normandy on D-Day.

Sgt. Verian joined the Army 25 years to the day after his father joined for World War I.

(June 24, 1943) -- Cpl. John F. Verian, of Washington Avenue, was awarded a Purple Heart while serving in North Africa.

Verian has been in the Army since June 5,  1942. He has been stationed in Africa since December.

He was recently hit in the leg by flying shrapnel.

Classified as a minor injury, Verian just a few days later was doing Military Police duties. He then had taken part in a "final affair" in Africa in which the "Germans were cleaned up."

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