1st Lt John M. Bigler entered the U.S. Army in Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He married Geraldine Minich on 17 March 1943 in Cumberland, North Carolina.
He was a 1Lt. in the 82nd Airborne Division when he was Killed in Action near Cologne, Germany.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-b/45956-bigler-john M
John M. Bigler
HOME OF RECORD:
Gillette, Arkansas
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 1
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army
Battalion: 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion
Division: 82d Airborne Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 64 (December 13, 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) John M. Bigler (ASN: 0-1100447), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 September 1944, near ****, Holland. First Lieutenant Bigler, Platoon Commander, was given the difficult mission of directing the loading and embarking of the various waves of assault infantry during the assault crossing of the Waal River. First Lieutenant Bigler chose as his command post an exposed position on the forward slope of the river bank where he could observe the crossing. Under heavy small arms fire, mortar fire, and 20-mm. and 80-mm. fire, First Lieutenant Bigler directed the first wave of the assault. As the assault boats started back, First Lieutenant Bigler realized that more engineer boat men would be needed since only ten of the initial 26 boats were returning and all of these were undermanned due to casualties. First Lieutenant Bigler promptly ordered all available engineer personnel to help with the boats. After organizing the second crossing he himself took the place of a seriously wounded man and rowed the boat across the river with complete disregard for his own safety. By his quick thinking and courageous action, First Lieutenant Bigler inspired the men under his command and prevented a possible delay in the operation at a time when the success of the operation depended upon infantry reinforcements getting across the river. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
He was also awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
He was a 1Lt. in the 82nd Airborne Division when he was Killed in Action near Cologne, Germany.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-b/45956-bigler-john M
John M. Bigler
HOME OF RECORD:
Gillette, Arkansas
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 1
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army
Battalion: 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion
Division: 82d Airborne Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 64 (December 13, 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) John M. Bigler (ASN: 0-1100447), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 September 1944, near ****, Holland. First Lieutenant Bigler, Platoon Commander, was given the difficult mission of directing the loading and embarking of the various waves of assault infantry during the assault crossing of the Waal River. First Lieutenant Bigler chose as his command post an exposed position on the forward slope of the river bank where he could observe the crossing. Under heavy small arms fire, mortar fire, and 20-mm. and 80-mm. fire, First Lieutenant Bigler directed the first wave of the assault. As the assault boats started back, First Lieutenant Bigler realized that more engineer boat men would be needed since only ten of the initial 26 boats were returning and all of these were undermanned due to casualties. First Lieutenant Bigler promptly ordered all available engineer personnel to help with the boats. After organizing the second crossing he himself took the place of a seriously wounded man and rowed the boat across the river with complete disregard for his own safety. By his quick thinking and courageous action, First Lieutenant Bigler inspired the men under his command and prevented a possible delay in the operation at a time when the success of the operation depended upon infantry reinforcements getting across the river. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
He was also awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
1st Lt John M. Bigler entered the U.S. Army in Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He married Geraldine Minich on 17 March 1943 in Cumberland, North Carolina.
He was a 1Lt. in the 82nd Airborne Division when he was Killed in Action near Cologne, Germany.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-b/45956-bigler-john M
John M. Bigler
HOME OF RECORD:
Gillette, Arkansas
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 1
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army
Battalion: 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion
Division: 82d Airborne Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 64 (December 13, 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) John M. Bigler (ASN: 0-1100447), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 September 1944, near ****, Holland. First Lieutenant Bigler, Platoon Commander, was given the difficult mission of directing the loading and embarking of the various waves of assault infantry during the assault crossing of the Waal River. First Lieutenant Bigler chose as his command post an exposed position on the forward slope of the river bank where he could observe the crossing. Under heavy small arms fire, mortar fire, and 20-mm. and 80-mm. fire, First Lieutenant Bigler directed the first wave of the assault. As the assault boats started back, First Lieutenant Bigler realized that more engineer boat men would be needed since only ten of the initial 26 boats were returning and all of these were undermanned due to casualties. First Lieutenant Bigler promptly ordered all available engineer personnel to help with the boats. After organizing the second crossing he himself took the place of a seriously wounded man and rowed the boat across the river with complete disregard for his own safety. By his quick thinking and courageous action, First Lieutenant Bigler inspired the men under his command and prevented a possible delay in the operation at a time when the success of the operation depended upon infantry reinforcements getting across the river. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
He was also awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
He was a 1Lt. in the 82nd Airborne Division when he was Killed in Action near Cologne, Germany.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-b/45956-bigler-john M
John M. Bigler
HOME OF RECORD:
Gillette, Arkansas
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 1
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army
Battalion: 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion
Division: 82d Airborne Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 64 (December 13, 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) John M. Bigler (ASN: 0-1100447), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 September 1944, near ****, Holland. First Lieutenant Bigler, Platoon Commander, was given the difficult mission of directing the loading and embarking of the various waves of assault infantry during the assault crossing of the Waal River. First Lieutenant Bigler chose as his command post an exposed position on the forward slope of the river bank where he could observe the crossing. Under heavy small arms fire, mortar fire, and 20-mm. and 80-mm. fire, First Lieutenant Bigler directed the first wave of the assault. As the assault boats started back, First Lieutenant Bigler realized that more engineer boat men would be needed since only ten of the initial 26 boats were returning and all of these were undermanned due to casualties. First Lieutenant Bigler promptly ordered all available engineer personnel to help with the boats. After organizing the second crossing he himself took the place of a seriously wounded man and rowed the boat across the river with complete disregard for his own safety. By his quick thinking and courageous action, First Lieutenant Bigler inspired the men under his command and prevented a possible delay in the operation at a time when the success of the operation depended upon infantry reinforcements getting across the river. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
He was also awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Arkansas.
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