Private John Roderick Towle was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 19, 1924. He joined the United States Army in March of 1943 (during World War II) and volunteered for the airborne infantry. After training, he was assigned to Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (504th PIR), becoming a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.
On September 21, 1944, Private Towle engaged a German force with his rocket launcher in an attempt to disable two enemy tanks and a half-track. In order to do so, he left his protected position and exposed himself to enemy fire sacrificing his life and saving many others. He was killed, in action, during the battle. Subsequently, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on March 15, 1945.
This made Private Towle the third member of the 82nd Airborne Division to receive the Medal of Honor. He was only 19 years old at the time of his death. His body was sent home and interred at the Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. READ MORE