Rich, John D.

Description

John D. Rich was born February 12, 1925 in Rye. He was the son of John B. and Brandoria Rich. He had two brothers Dante and Frank and three sister Lucy, Concetta and Jen. In Rye his family lived at 421 Milton Rd. and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. His family owned Rich’s Florist which was located on Milton Road and all members of the family were active in runninng the business. John was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1944.

He enlisted right out of high school and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was assigned to the 347th Infantry Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division.

The 87th was moving into Germany when, on 16 December 1944, German Field Marshal Von Rundstedt launched his offensive in the Ardennes forest (Battle of the Bulge). The Division was placed in SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) reserve, 24–28 December, then thrown into the Bulge battle in Belgium, 29 December.

In a fluctuating battle, it captured Moircy on 30 December and Remagne on 31 December. On 2 January 1945, it took Gérimont, on 10 January Tillet, and reached the Ourthe by 13 January. On 15 January 1945, the division moved to Luxembourg to relieve the 4th Infantry Division along the Sauer and seized Wasserbillig on 23 January.

Only three weeks overseas and a little more than six months in the service, Pvt. John D. Rich 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Rich 421 Milton Road, was reported missing in action with the
347th Infantry Regiment in Belgium.

Two days before
his birthday, February 12, a telegram
was received by his parents, saying
that he was missing on January 28.
The last letter sent by Pvt. Rich
was dated January 21 to his sister. He
wrote that he was feeling fine and hoped that all at home were too. He
said,
“I am somewhere on the front
right now. That is all I know.”

John was captured as his division moved into Luxembourg in late January 1945. He would remain a prisoner of war until liberated in April 1945.

“It sure was good when we saw the Yanks come and liberate us again You don’t know what’a feeling it is to have until you have been locked up for some time” Pvt. Rich Liberated By Yanks Calls His New Freedom ΓÇÿGood’

After the war, John was a partner in the family business of John B. Rich & Sons Flower Shops in Rye & Port Chester.

John D. Rich, formerly of Larchmont, passed away March 25, 2015, at age 90 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

He was survived by his wife, Ala Rich, his brother Dan Rich (Agnes) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Bernice, his parents and his brother Frank and sisters Concetta, Lucille and Jen.

A funeral service was held followed by interment at Greenwood Union Cemetery. – See more at:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lohud/obituary.as…