John Mesick West Point class 1918
Cullum No. 5963 Jul 10, 1969 Died in Natchez, Mississippi
Interred in Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Claverack, NY

For his final resting place, beside his eldest son, John Mesick returned to the upper Hudson River Valley Village of Claverack, in Columbia County, New York, where he was born on 16 June 1894.

Jawn, as his classmates called him, was one of eight children. He inherited a deep interest in the military life. His ancestors, on both sides, fought in the Revolution. His home was only seventy miles from West Point. He had always admired the Military Academy and all that it stood for.

He graduated early on 12 June 1918, and was assigned to the Field Artillery. After a short course at Fort Sill, he studied ballistics at the University of Chicago for three years, followed by work with the Field Artillery Research Department and then another year of postgraduate study on acoustics at the University of Iowa. This led to specialization with Field Artillery observation units.

Jawn was promoted to Colonel during World War II. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon for duty as Executive John Mesick Officer, Division Artillery, 63d Infantry Division, 1943-44. His overseas service was in the European Theatre of Operations from September 1944 to August 1945, as commander of a Field Artillery group and as G-3, United States Forces European Theatre. He returned to Germany in 1946 for a two-year tour with the U.S. Military Mission to the U.S.S.R. in Potsdam.

Jawn was married to Anne Russell Lambert of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1920. They had two sons, John Jr. and William Mallery. Anne died in the Philippines on 4 January 1937. John Jr., an Air Force pilot, was killed in the crash of his plane in 1949. Jawn married Hattie Marie Carter of Natchez, Mississippi, on 8 September 1945. They had one son Hillary.

After Jawn’s retirement in 1953, he spent the rest of his years at their lovely country home near Natchez, where he could enjoy his love of nature and a life as an outdoor sportsman. He had always enjoyed hunting, and he had an extensive collection of guns. He was proud of his Distinguished Pistol Marksman badge.

Jawn was active in civic affairs after his retirement. He was Past President of the Natchez Historical Society, Vice-President of the Mississippi Genealogical Committee, and was also active in promoting conservation of the natural resources of Mississippi. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, of the Mayflower Society, and of the Sons of the American Revolution.

He never boasted of his ancestry and modestly dropped his middle name, Lockwood, of his mother’s family. She was a direct descendant of one of Washington’s staff officers.

His class Howitzer describes him as diligent, generous, and likeable, though a bit of a recluse. Classmates, who were in his cadet company, remember him as willing, able, pleasantly impulsive, full of fun, and having a great warmth of friendship.

John Lockwood Mesick was a most worthy member of the Class of June 1918, and he has well deserved an honored place in the Long Gray Line.
E. W. C., a classmate

Mrs. Benjamin Mesick and daughter Harriett, and son Benjamin, went to West Point last week when John Mesick was graduated. Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Tanner and son, Lyall of Hudson, were also present. After spending a short furlough at his home here, he will report at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The Columbia Republican, Hudson, NY, Tuesday, June 18, 1918.

Brothers Are Colonels.
In addition to the recently published list of high ranking military officers from Colombia County now serving with the armed forces, Colonel John Mesick, of Claverack, is an instructor at an Army base in this county. Colonel Mesick is a brother of Colonel Benjamin Mesick, also of Claverack, who is serving overseas.
The Hudson,NY Evening Register, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 1944.

John Mesick West Point class 1918
Cullum No. 5963 Jul 10, 1969 Died in Natchez, Mississippi
Interred in Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Claverack, NY

For his final resting place, beside his eldest son, John Mesick returned to the upper Hudson River Valley Village of Claverack, in Columbia County, New York, where he was born on 16 June 1894.

Jawn, as his classmates called him, was one of eight children. He inherited a deep interest in the military life. His ancestors, on both sides, fought in the Revolution. His home was only seventy miles from West Point. He had always admired the Military Academy and all that it stood for.

He graduated early on 12 June 1918, and was assigned to the Field Artillery. After a short course at Fort Sill, he studied ballistics at the University of Chicago for three years, followed by work with the Field Artillery Research Department and then another year of postgraduate study on acoustics at the University of Iowa. This led to specialization with Field Artillery observation units.

Jawn was promoted to Colonel during World War II. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon for duty as Executive John Mesick Officer, Division Artillery, 63d Infantry Division, 1943-44. His overseas service was in the European Theatre of Operations from September 1944 to August 1945, as commander of a Field Artillery group and as G-3, United States Forces European Theatre. He returned to Germany in 1946 for a two-year tour with the U.S. Military Mission to the U.S.S.R. in Potsdam.

Jawn was married to Anne Russell Lambert of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1920. They had two sons, John Jr. and William Mallery. Anne died in the Philippines on 4 January 1937. John Jr., an Air Force pilot, was killed in the crash of his plane in 1949. Jawn married Hattie Marie Carter of Natchez, Mississippi, on 8 September 1945. They had one son Hillary.

After Jawn’s retirement in 1953, he spent the rest of his years at their lovely country home near Natchez, where he could enjoy his love of nature and a life as an outdoor sportsman. He had always enjoyed hunting, and he had an extensive collection of guns. He was proud of his Distinguished Pistol Marksman badge.

Jawn was active in civic affairs after his retirement. He was Past President of the Natchez Historical Society, Vice-President of the Mississippi Genealogical Committee, and was also active in promoting conservation of the natural resources of Mississippi. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, of the Mayflower Society, and of the Sons of the American Revolution.

He never boasted of his ancestry and modestly dropped his middle name, Lockwood, of his mother’s family. She was a direct descendant of one of Washington’s staff officers.

His class Howitzer describes him as diligent, generous, and likeable, though a bit of a recluse. Classmates, who were in his cadet company, remember him as willing, able, pleasantly impulsive, full of fun, and having a great warmth of friendship.

John Lockwood Mesick was a most worthy member of the Class of June 1918, and he has well deserved an honored place in the Long Gray Line.
E. W. C., a classmate

Mrs. Benjamin Mesick and daughter Harriett, and son Benjamin, went to West Point last week when John Mesick was graduated. Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Tanner and son, Lyall of Hudson, were also present. After spending a short furlough at his home here, he will report at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The Columbia Republican, Hudson, NY, Tuesday, June 18, 1918.

Brothers Are Colonels.
In addition to the recently published list of high ranking military officers from Colombia County now serving with the armed forces, Colonel John Mesick, of Claverack, is an instructor at an Army base in this county. Colonel Mesick is a brother of Colonel Benjamin Mesick, also of Claverack, who is serving overseas.
The Hudson,NY Evening Register, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 1944.