John entered the service on 27 March 1942 from Scott Field, Illinois. He enlisted as a Private (# 36 0570121. He had four years of college education, was Single, without dependents, and his civilian occupation was listed as: "Agents and appraisers, n.e.c." He was in Class 43-10 at South Plains Army Air Field, Texas.

John married on 12 November 1945; he and his wife had two children. They raised registered Holstein dairy cattle and registered Shropshire sheep.

John was listed in the Mission Detroit orders as the pilot of CG-4A #42-62750, being towed by C-47A #42-100576, Chalk #17. On 437th TCG order #45, dated 03 August 1944 he is listed as being moved with other 437th TCG Glider pilots to an undisclosed location – probably that was in support of Operation DRAGOON, later that month. The Operation Varsity, Serial A-9 orders list him as pilot of CG-4A, #42-??329, Chalk #96; towed by C-47A #42-100650, Chalk #8.

He appeared on the rosters of the 437th TCG Association as a member from 1972 until 1986.