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The Sergeant
John W. Gabersek Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Lt. Colonel
John (Jack) E. Rauscher
Citizen -
Soldier - Father
November 16, 1916 - May 3, 1996
On Memorial Day 2008, Uncle John and I once again visited the WWII Memorial to
pay our respects and share his story. During our visit there, we met and
spoke with Lynne and Lisa Rauscher, who were also visiting the Memorial to honor
their father. They had with them a picture of their dad, a remarkable man
who served his country for an amazing 25 years. Their pride as they spoke
about their father was certainly evident as they spoke with Johnnie and I.
After posing for a few photos, we exchanged information and I offered to them a
small tribute to their father here on Soldiers and Sailors. I hope you
enjoy the photos and profile of their dad, affectionately known as Jack, same as
my dad. Thank you Lisa and Lynne for sharing. Enjoy!
Lynn and Lisa Rauscher with Johnnie and I, Memorial Day 2008.
Lt Colonel Rauscher also appears in the photo just over Lynne's shoulder.
Before enlisting, Mr. Rauscher was exempt from the
draft because he worked in an Cincinnati Ohio factory making parts for
airplanes.
In April 1943 he decided he wanted to serve his country and joined the army.
He took his basic training in Tennessee and Kansas and progress to field
artillery. He was sent to England in the spring of 1944 and arrived in
France in July of 1944 serving 8 months in combat. At one time, his
unit was briefly attached to Patton's 3rd army sent to help relieve Bastogne
during the Battle of the Bulge.
John and his wartime buddy Bill VanCourt of Cincinnati Ohio
While on leave at home in Cincinnati, the war with Japan had ended. He was
sent to Camp Bowie in Brownwood Texas and was honorably discharged from there in
1945, leaving the army as a Master Sergeant. While back in Cincinnati,
Jack decided to reenlist. He did so within 3 weeks of his discharge and returned
to service at his present grade.
In 1950 Master Sergeant Rauscher was advised by his commanding officer to put in
for a reserve commission. He did so and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Jack Rauscher finished his service career of 25 years in the Adjutant General
Corps and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1968. Jack married in 1946 and had
three children. He stood his last post on the third of May 1996.
It is my honor to pay tribute in a small way to those who fought
so valiantly to preserve freedom and liberty for generations to come.