<p>
<em>JOHN JOSEPH NEIGER JR., </em>was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 25 June 1911, the son of Adele C. and John J. Neiger. His early childhood was spent in Virginia, Illinois, before moving to the Tri-City (Rock Island-Moline-Davenport) area of Illinois, where he attended and graduated from high school. Thereafter, he attended the University of Illinois and the University of Iowa before receiving a congressional appointment to West Point from Illinois.</p>
<p>
While at West Point, John excelled as a wrestler, and, during his First Class year, his leadership ability was properly recognized by his being selected as captain of the wrestling team. He also participated in track. He enjoyed cadet life and made a multitude of friends. He had some problems with the Academic Department, but their combined efforts could not pin him, and he graduated 217 in a class of 277. His biography in the HOWITZER states in jest that John blamed the Academic Department for his not being the First Captain. John was a welcome addition to any and all gatherings; his wit and humor were always wholesome.</p>
<p>
After graduation John’s first station was the 6th Infantry, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Here he developed lifelong friendships with his classmate Tommy Claxkin, and with “Hurley” Hurlbut and “Red” White, both of the Class of 1933. While at Jefferson Barracks, John met and married a beautiful St. Louis girl, Sallie Van Deventer Morfit. “Red” White, who was best man at John’s wedding, recalled: “Johnny was an extremely bright and able young officer, certainly one of the most respected and most popular men on the post, Sallie and John were extremely popular and very happy.”</p>
<p>
John Joseph Neiger III was born on New Year’s Eve 1936, at Jefferson Barracks.</p>
<p>
John’s next station was the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, where he reported in August of 1938. The Neigers’ quarters was a regular meeting place for his many classmates during that happy year. Dr. Morfit’s Hangover Pills (Sallie’s father was a doctor) were in great demand. John stood well in his class at the Infantry School and was selected as one of the few to attend the Advanced Communications Course. During this time a second son, Henry Morfit Neiger, was born. It was while at Benning that then Colonel George M. Parker, Chief of the Second Section at the Infantry School, came to know John, Later, in the Philippines, John was to become his aide-de-camp.</p>
<p>
In June 1940, the Neigers were off for their first foreign service, the Philippine Islands. John was first assigned to command Company I of the 45th Infantry. The war clouds gathered, and, in May 1941, Sallie and the two boys were evacuated.</p>
<p>
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and hostilities began in the Philippines, John was aide-de-camp to Major General Parker. General Parker, who is now living in Portland, Oregon, describes John as “a perfect aide and a brave soldier who was of great assistance to me at all times.” General Parker commanded the South Luzon Force, the Bataan Defense Force, and the II Philippine Corps. John was General Parker’s constant companion until they became prisoners of war. John accompanied the latter whenever he visited the front lines and lower units frequently exposing themselves to enemy fire. They were separated on Bataan when the Japanese called General Parker for investigation. To quote General Parker, “He was a fine, fine boy and did everything for me. He was perfect, and I could not have asked for a better aide.”</p>
<p>
Colonel “Zero” Wilson, Class of 1924, writes that after the families were evacuated he, John, Roy Reynolds, Class of 1933, and “Bish” Wynkoop (deceased), Class of 1937, lived together until Pearl Harbor Day. He added that, although John was General Parker’s aide, he was used extensively as a trouble shooter, liaison officer to combat divisions, communications expert, and assistant to the various Gs when assistance was needed. According to “Zero,” there was an extreme shortage of trained personnel, and, as a result, John was a busy young man, performing all of his duties in his expected superior manner. To quote “Zero”: “Through it all, John exemplified the West Pointer, the professional soldier, and the gentleman. He never lost his sense of humor, and he adopted a philosophical and optimistic view of our predicament.”</p>
<p>
John was on the infamous Death March, and because of his peak physical strength, mental courage, and faith, was able to endure this and subsequent life in several prison camps: Camp O'Donnell, 26 April 1-June 1942; Cabanatuan No. 1, 1 June 1942-21 October 1944; Bilibid, 12 October-13 December 1944. On 13 December John was placed aboard the Japanese ship, Orvoku Maru. “Zero” states that John was killed either during the second night on the ship, or in a bombing in the early morning following the second night. Someone told “Zero” after he came ashore on 15 December 1944 that he had seen John dead aboard the ship before he left. Some excerpts from John's diary while in prison camps show a remarkable perspective for a man who endured as much as he had and knew he was about to die:</p>
<p>
“17 May 1944-First letter from Sallie since November, so excited I could not eat a normal portion of garbage,</p>
<p>
*‘17 August 1944-Birthday letter (1943) from Sallie, a real buck-up. Grass detail and fencing- barefooted.</p>
<p>
“Hospital in 1942-No medicine...beriberi...pellagra...dysentery...scurvy...yellow jaundice...fever. Doctor said, “Come back next day so he could check fever again.”</p>
<p>
John's son, Henry, writes: “His strength of mind and body that endured up until the very end provided an example for his family which helped us bear the burden of his death.”</p>
<p>
A grateful nation recognized John's great contribution to his country by awarding him the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.</p>
<p>
Silver Star</p>
<p>
“For conspicuous gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States."</p>
<p>
Bronze Star Medal</p>
<p>
‘Tor meritorious service from December 1941 to April 1942. During shortage of staff personnel, he repeatedly assumed duties beyond the responsibility of his assignment and accomplished many important missions. By this foresight and outstanding professional ability, Major Neiger was of great aid to the Corps Commander and materially assisted the conduct of defense operations.”</p>
<p>
Purple Heart</p>
<p>
In a letter to Sallie, dated 13 August 1945, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson wrote:</p>
<p>
“You will shortly receive the Purple Heart Medal, which has been posthumously awarded by direction of the President to your husband. Major John Neiger, Infantry. It is sent as a tangible expression of the country’s gratitude for his gallantry and devotion."</p>
<p>
"lt is sent to you, as well, with my deepest personal sympathy for your bereavement. The loss of a loved one is beyond man's repairing, and the medal is of slight value; not so however, the message it carries. We are all comrades in arms in this battle for our country, and those who have gone are not, and never will be, forgotten by those of us who remain. I hope you will accept the medal in evidence of such remembrance."</p>
<p>
John Neiger packed more Duty, Honor, Country, and love of family in his short 33 years than most of us do in a lifetime. Those who were fortunate enough to know John Neiger are enriched and are leading fuller lives for it The Class of 1935 was lucky to have had him - one of God’s noblemen.</p>
<p>
John is survived by his widow, Sallie, now Mrs. Raymond F. McNally (Her husband is a retired major general of the United States Army Reserve); a son, John J. Neiger III, a captain in the United States Army now stationed at West Point and a Vietnam veteran; and a son, Henry M. Neiger, with <em>Forbes Magazine</em> in New York.</p>
<p>
President Harry S. Truman wrote in John’s honor:</p>
<p>
"In Grateful Memory of</p>
<p>
Major John Neiger</p>
<p>
Who Died in the Service of His Country</p>
<p>
in the Pacific Area, 15 December 1944.</p>
<p>
He Stands in the Unbroken Line of Patriots Who Have Dared to Die that Freedom Might Live, and Grow, and Increase Its Blessings.</p>
<p>
Freedom Lives, and Through It, He Lives, in a Way that Humbles the Undertakings of Most Men."</p>