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<em>JOHN C. WELBORN</em> was born 15 May 1909 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the son of Colonel Ira C. Welborn and Margaret Sayles Kilbourne.</p>
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His father, Class of 1898, went from the classroom to San Juan Hill, Cuba, where he distinquished himself by earning the Medal of Honor.</p>
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His mother, born at Fort Hays, Territory of Kansas, was the daughter of Major and Mrs. Henry S. Kilbourne, an Army doctor.</p>
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An old Army family of West Point tradition included an uncle, Hugh S. Johnson, Class of 1903; an uncle, Henry S. Kilbourne, Class of 1903; and a cousin, Kilbourne Johnston, Class of 1928.</p>
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The day after graduation he married Elizabeth E. Hall. The family increased with the birth of John C. Jr. and Carl H. Sadness came shortly thereafter when Betty died. A trying time for Jack with the clouds of war threatening.</p>
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While stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, he met another Betty, who shortly became Mrs. John C.</p>
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Rising early one morning, 7 December 1941, Jack heard the news and alerted Post Headquarters of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The war was on. By this time Jack was Commanding Officer of the 70th Tank Battalion. The men, all from Maryland and Pennsylvania, soon became expert tankers under his tutelage, for which they were greatly thankful when put to the test. To this day, those that remain express their gratitude.</p>
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A quote from Colonel Michael C. Varhol, USA (Ret),:</p>
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“When I reported for active duty as a reserve second lieutenant in September 1940 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Jack immediately impressed me as being the most personable Regular Army officer in the 70th Tank Battalion. His uniform always sparkled as if ready for dress parade, and he moved swiftly and gracefully. Colonel Welborn was a military genius in devising and teaching our officers and soldiers the proper use of armor in combat, especially as a team with infantry. Again thanks to Jack’s training of our battalion, all our units received the Presidential Unit Citation for heroic action on D-Day in Normandy. Jack distinguished himself by winning our country’s second highest decoration for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. A short time later, General Omar Bradley came to our battalion to present this decoration. It was a sad day late in August 1944 near Livry Gargan, France, when orders arrived, transferring Jack to the 33rd Armored Regiment for promotion to Regimental Commander. I saw several battle-hardened veterans crying as Jack was leaving us. He had saved many of our lives by his wise combat decisions, and all of us would have gladly ‘followed him to Hell and back.’”</p>
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A transfer took the battalion to Fort Bragg, with shipment overseas soon following. In the North African Campaign, contact with Rommel was not long in the offing but it was at Tlemcen that Jack showed his true merit. Not only was he the Commanding Officer of the 70th, but he became the immediate Mayor of Tlemcen.</p>
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The D-Day invasion of Sicily was followed by movement to a staging area along with the 1st Infantry Division in southern England. There he convinced Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. that the 70th should be included in the first assault wave of Normandy. And so it was the 70th again making history—Utah Beach, Cherbourg, St. Lo.</p>
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As the war progressed, more war news filtered through. From the preacher after church one Sunday in September I learned that Task Force Welborn had crossed the Siegfried Line into Germany. The war was to end soon.</p>
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After the war daughter Suzanne was bom and completed the family unit. Time passed quickly with many change of stations and retirement soon became a reality.</p>
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Retirement from Fort Knox in 1959 initiated a new way of life, life on the Inland Waterways. Instead of buying a home we had a boat built in Nova Scotia, a 42 foot lobster boat. This became our home for the next 15 years with Jack as the captain and Betty as the chief navigator, galley slave and deckhand. Summers were spent on a small island off the coast of Maine, Peaks Island. Surprisingly, the waterways from Maine to Florida were inhabited by many retired military people.</p>
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After 15 years, dry land beckoned, and we settled in Yorktown, Virginia, close to military facilities and classmates. When Jack’s illness became the main concern, the return to Maine became eminent. After many years in nursing homes, 15 March 1995 saw the end. Life with Jack was exciting; he made life interesting and fun. He was dearly loved by family, friends and comrades-in-arms. He will be remembered. A final tribute comes from a soldier, John Kolenberg:</p>
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“Dear Betty,</p>
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Under New England Chapter News for the 3rd Armored Division Association was a story about you and Colonel Welborn.</p>
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I served under your husband during the Rhineland and Central European Campaigns in 1945. I was 19 years of age and a member of F Company, 33rd Armored Regiment.</p>
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Colonel Welborn was the bravest officer I served under in World War II. I can still see him in combat standing near our tank, unafraid. The Colonel doesn’t know me, but I have so much to be thankful for his leadership.</p>
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I am writing this letter to thank him.”</p>
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Colonel Welborn was the recipient of the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinquished Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Belgian Fouraguerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Army Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant, the Army of Occupation Medal, the Army Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.<br />
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