About
World War II (1939-1945)
Raymond St. John was born in Rotterdam, New York, on June 22, 1916. He grew up in the town of Rotterdam in Schenectady County. He graduated from Draper High School and later earned his degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky. Before entering the military, he worked for the Schenectady Union Star in the display advertising department.
In March 1940, Raymond enlisted in the United States Army. He completed his basic training at Fort Knox in Kentucky. He was a technician fourth grade serving with Headquarters Company, 11th Armored Infantry Battalion, 1st Armored Division. In May 1942, he went overseas and served in Ireland, Africa, and Italy. On April 24, 1945, Raymond was killed in battle in Italy. He is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Schenectady, New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry
Local Soldier Cheers Italian Lad at Christmas
With The Fifth Army, Italy
-Sgt. Ray St. John of Schenectady, and a group of comrades in the 11th armored infantry battalion, 1st armored division, made it a merry Christmas for an Italian lad near the Fifth army front lines in Italy. On Jan. 6, Epiphany, which is observed as Christmas by Italian children, St. John and his buddies prepared a box and basket for the little boy who lives near their bivouac. Their gifts included candy, nuts, chewing gum, cookies and other sweets from their Christmas left overs and candy rations. "The look in the little boy's eye was more like Christmas than anything I've ever seen in my three Christmases overseas." St. John said.
Schenectady Gazette, February 5, 1945