My name is John Farrow, and I am proud of my family and extended families' service to the USA. My dad's uncle, Allie Farrow, served in the Army as a recruit camp instructor just prior to our involvement in World War I. My dad, Alexander Farrow, served in France and Belgium during World War I in the Yankee Division, the 26th Inf. Div. He was a sergeant in the artillery. He led a small group of forward observers into no mans'land, where they relayed information regarding the effect of shell fire from their batteries. He saved the life of one of his squad members, making sure he got back to allied lines after he was wounded. Dad was in the Meuse-Argonne battle, Chatteau-Thiery and Belleau Woods. Luckily he came home unscathed, married and had a family of five.
One of his children, Joseph Farrow, the first born, was drafted into the Army in World War II. Joe volunteered for the Army Air Corps. He was trained as a gunner in the B-17s. Joe flew 25 missions over the same countryside as Dad fought in 26 years before. Joe was shot down on his 26th mission. He was captured by the Germans and spent one year in a Stalag P.O.W. camp. He also returned home to marry and raise a family.
Dad's fifth-born child was me, after having Joe followed by three girls. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952 right out of high school. Boot camp, gunnery school and aviation school all followed, and I was stationed on USS Lake Champlain during the Korean War. My MOS or duty station was the flight deck as an aviation electrician. Our planes provided air support for the fight on the ground.
Several nieces and nephews also served their country in the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and as of now one is serving in the Air Force. We are proud patriots and we dearly love our country.