Bann, John J.

Description

John Joseph Bann was born on July 17, 1923, in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland, to Maud Ellen Kelly and James J. Bann. He had two brothers Paul and Vincent.

In Rye his family lived on Upper Dogwood Lane and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. His father was born in Scotland and worked as a Chauffeur for a private family. Before the war John was working for the A&P Grocery Store in Port Chester, NY.

He enlisted January 23, 1943 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. His Service Number was 32724812 and he was a T/5 and served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

A Technician Fifth Grade (T/5 or Tec 5) serving with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II was an enlisted soldier possessing specialized technical skills, holding a rank equivalent to a corporal but not designated as a traditional combat leader. The T/5 rank was created in 1942 to recognize specialists such as radio operators, mechanics, or intelligence clerks.

T/5s in the OSS were often recruited for their specific, non-combat skills, such as intelligence, communications, or sabotage expertise, rather than their leadership background. They were crucial in the diverse, rapid-setup environment of the OSS.

Many T/5s served in the Operational Groups (OGs), which were small, specialized teams that operated behind enemy lines. They worked in various theaters, including Europe, North Africa, and Asia, often supporting resistance movements and engaging in covert operations.

John received his honorable discharge February 4, 1946 and returned home to Rye.

He married Joan Beaver on September 26, 1946, at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye. They had two children during their marriage.

John Joseph Bann died on October 1, 1998, in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of 75.

As of 2-14-2026 we have no further information on this veteran