NEENAH, WI, US
U.S. Army
SPC, HHT, 2D SQD, 8TH CAVALRY, 1 BCT, FORT HOOD, TX
01/27/2007, BAGHDAD, IRAQ
Specialist John Baily St John II was killed on January 27, 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during convoy operations. He was part of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas. Jon was posthumously promoted from Private First Class to Specialist.
John was an honor student in school, and as a seventh-grader at Shattuck Middle School, he placed first among hundreds of his fellow students in Math testing at Neenah School District, Wisconsin. He was from the town of Vinland, Wisconsin and attended Lakeview Elementary and graduated in 1999 from St. Mary Central High School in Menasha, Wisconsin. His accomplishments were not just academic.
He lettered in football and in tennis. He also played piano and guitar and did a lot of reading. As a result, Jon was a skilled conversationalist with knowledge and experience with a wide variety of topics. During many discussions his dry sense of humor made him appreciated by those who engaged him in conversation. Additionally, he was a Wisconsin outdoorsman and enjoyed skiing, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He continued his learning interests with his attendance at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley and also LaCrosse where he was on the Dean’s List.
In June 2005, with only six credits needed for graduation, John decided to take a break from school he joined the Army. He seemed to find his most comfortable niche here as part of Fort Hood’s Cavalry elements.
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