User:Coffeeandyoga245/New sandbox

{{Infobox person
 * name              = John H. Featherston Jr.
 * image             =
 * alt               =
 * caption           = Captain John "Jack" H. Featherston
 * birth_date        = {{Birth date|1922|05|27}}
 * birth_place       = Portsmouth, Virginia
 * death_date        = {{Death date and age|1945|03|24|1922|05|27}}
 * death_place       = Wesel, Germany
 * resting_place     = Plot M Row 8 Grave 15, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands
 * nationality       = American
 * family            = John H. Featherston (father)

Margaret (Hunter) Featherston (mother)

Frank H. Featherston (brother)

Robert K. Featherston (brother)

Edward W. Featherston (brother)
 * education         = U.S. Army West Point Prep School at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma

}}
 * }

Captain John "Jack" H. Featherston was born to Colonel John H. and Margaret Featherston on May 27th, 1922. Featherston was an "army brat," following his family to various army posts in the United States. Although he went to Hawaii and the Philippine Islands, Fort Monroe, Virginia was home for Featherston and his three younger brothers. Featherston graduated from high school and went to the U.S. Army West Point Prep School at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. During his time at the prep school, he competed for a Presidential Appointment to West Point and applied to the United States Naval Academy. When Featherston returned to Chicago he heard news that he received an appointment to go to either academy. He decided to go to West Point to follow a military career.

One of his roommates spoke fondly of him, “ Jack came to West Point with the firm resolve to become a good soldier. Super spoonoid, conscientious in duty, he pursued with characteristic determination his chosen work. Weekends, when other men were out dragging, Jack could be found at home studying Napoleon or Clausewitz.” With war upon the United States, Featherston and his classmates graduated  in January 1943 instead of June.

Following West Point Featherston returned home for a brief period to spend time with his family before going to the Field Artillery School in Oklahoma. This peeked his interested in airborne troops and pushed him to go to the Field Artillery Glider Battalion in North Carolina. Here he was assigned to the 17th Airborne Division. The 17th airborne was activated on April 15, 1943, lead by General William M Miley. On December 24th, 1944 the division entered combat to combat von Runstedt’s counter-offensive. The Germans were pushed back and then the division made landing near Wesel, Germany, where Capt. Featherston was ultimately killed.

Capt Featherston was regarded as a gentleman and a “splendid soldier” by his comrades. After his Battalion had landed, they went to clear out remaining snipers in the enemy strong point. He was shot in the left side of his chest and died almost instantaneously. Capt Featherston was killed by a | 12-year-old German sniper during Operation Varsity. After the 17th Division landed near Wesel, Germany, Capt Featherston led a patrol of men. They went to check out some nearby houses where they heard shots being fired. It was here that Capt Featherston was shot in the chest by the boy and died.

John was recommended for a Silver Star Award due to his valorous action in service for the battalion.

In a letter to his mother Col., Oswald wrote: "His unfortunate death grieves me deeply, not only because of his outstanding professional ability, but because I consider myself among those privileged to be his friends. You have the deepest sympathy of all of the officers and men of this unit in your bereavement. John was an outstanding officer and set the highest standards for both officers and men to emulate. Personally I rated him Superior, and feel that I shall never be able to replace him entirely. He was held in high regard by all of the members of this command and possessed a host of friends. He was a splendid soldier and a true gentleman" -