For Immediate Release: World War II Veteran who Fought on the Japanese Front Turns 100w our journey.
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Uniontown, Pennsylvania — World War II Veteran Turns 100 (The Maronite Voice)
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UNIONTOWN, Pa. – Fouad Simon John, a World War II Army Medic who served from 1941-1945, is turning 100.
Fouad was born on May 16, 1918, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. His parents were Lebanese immigrants.
During the week of his 100th birthday, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, his five children, dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, innumerable cousins, neighbors and friends will visit him at his home in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he raised his family with his late wife, Sophia John.
Fouad [pronounced foo-odd] fought in the Pacific on the Japanese front. He was drafted on September 19, 1941. He was honorably discharged on October 5, 1945.
“I’ll never forget the date: the day I went in the army or the day I came out; I’ll never forget it,” John said. “I forget other things, but I don’t forget that. I won’t forget the army, and things that I can’t talk about.”
He was on the front lines in three battles: the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, and the Ryukyu Islands. He received three Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a Ruptured Duck, “and all kinds of medals,” John said. “Every time you win something, they throw something around ya, just like you’re a Christmas tree,” he joked.
When asked why he has lived so long, he always responds “levity.” Fouad loves to laugh. He doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Fouad’s 100th birthday party will host traditional Lebanese food made by the parishioners at St. George Maronite Catholic Church. Fouad would be the first to tell you that food helps with longevity: He eats just about everything, and he grew up on a Mediterranean diet.
He surrounds himself with people and thinks of only the good things in life.
“There’s things I’ll always carry with me,” he said. “But I don’t reveal them.”
He only shared one short story on camera.
“They sent us on the South Pacific,” John began. “We were walking at night. I met one of my friends, Tagliaferri, and we kept on walking and all of a sudden, I heard he got killed. In a matter of seconds, I lost a friend. That was a sad moment.”
As the youngest of seven (Fou had four sisters and two brothers), he was already eight when he first went to school. At that age, he had only ever spoken Arabic at home. He was raised Maronite Catholic and went to St. John High School, in Uniontown. As a teenager, and through his early 20s, he worked in his father’s wholesale business. He attended St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he studied biology. His collegiate career was interrupted when he was drafted as a medic in the army in 1941.
Fouad John enjoys telling jokes and making others smile, laughing, people, praying his rosary, being with family, and relaxing with those he loves.
Fouad does not have the strength to give individual interviews to press at this time. We have provided photos and videos for your use here. This footage was taken by Natalie J Plumb in 2013, when he was 95: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VOKEdpA5E0RCh7pZ5-XER5P5_7JnP-fg
Types of Footage:
Photos of Fouad in uniform, and photos of the uniform
Fouad talking about being “shell shocked,” what is today known as PTSD
Fouad talking about rations, death of friend, canteens of water, ships, Hawaii, being a medic, field hospitals
Family photos of him as a young boy and soldier
Photos of Fouad’s awards
Fouad doing army exercises, singing and dancing
Fouad praying, going to church, shaving
You can also use any of the quotes you find in our video on his life, which gives a strong testimony to his service during WWII, his charm and the depth of his character: http://bit.ly/VeteranFou Also available on Vimeo: http://bit.ly/foufighter
Time Codes of Note:
Fouad looking at his uniform, talking about being on the front lines in three battles and his medals – 2:27
Fouad talking about being drafted – 0:32
Fouad talking about his friend getting killed – 1:55
Press Contact:
Natalie J Plumb, granddaughter to Fouad John
Communications professional and videographer
202-380-5702