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Our lens focuses this issue on Valerie's Uncle Chester (1915 - 1977), one of John's brothers, holding a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) 30 caliber, 20 pounds. This photo was taken in 1942. He was inducted into the military on April 22, 1941, and was honorably discharged on November 30, 1945. During this time he served in the 111th Infantry as a Field Lineman in the Western Pacific, earning numerous honors including a Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Overseas Service Bars, 1 Service Stripe, Good Conduct Medal w/1 Bronze Battle Star, American Defense Ribbon and Combat Infantryman Badge. He also held the heavyweight boxing title in his division. Prior to his enlistment, he worked for a couple years as a lumberjack in Oregon with the Civilian Conservation Corps. While he was in the service, his girlfriend married someone else. After his stint with the military, he returned to Joliet, where he worked as a concrete finisher.
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