John Edward Lahti
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
LAHTI, John Edward
John Edward Lahti was born in Skelton Township, Carlton County, Minnesota, in 1921, the son of Hjalmar & Hulda [Jokela] Lahti. He graduated from Barnum High School.
Four months prior to going into the military, John married Helen [Westerback] in May 1942. It would be 3 years before they would see each other again. Mr. Lahti served in World War II in the European Theater in the U.S. Army from September 1942 until December 1945.
He was a Technician 5th Grade (TEC5) assigned to A Company, 16th Armored Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division. He fought in eight major battles, including three amphibious assault at including Oran, North Africa, Anzio, Italy and Salerno Italy in North Africa, Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and Germany.
TEC5 Lahti earned the follwing merits for his service:
- Silver Star, -and-
- European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with 4 bronze battle stars.
He was honorably discharged. After the war he returned home to his wife and they started a family.
Mr. Lahti died on November 19th 2016 in Duluth, Minnesota. He is buried at Mt. Salem Cemetery in Mahtowa, Minnesota.
Source(s): Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form (VMH-VHF); veteran’s account (see below)
Served as an armored engineer in North Africa, Tunisia, and Italy for approximately three years in the following campaigns/battles: Tunisia/North Africa; Naples; Foggia; Casino; Anzio; Rome/Arno; North Apennines; Po Valley.
Served 22 months in front-line combat.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3
John Edward Lähteenoja Lahti (1921-2016) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current - Ancestry.com
Veterans’ Memorial Hall Oral History (OH);
