[courtesy of Margaret Gagliardi]

Grave marker for John Rowell in New Section E, Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids (Halifax county), North Carolina.

John registered for the draft in Garysburg, NC on 30 June 1942 and was inducted into he Army at Fort Bragg, NC on 3 December 1942,

On 17 December 1942, Pvt Rowell was transferred from Camp Toccoa, GA to Hq 3rd, 508th PIR.  On 27 April 19434 he was then transferred to Company G.

John was promoted to Pfc on 19 November 1944.

On 8 December 1944, Pfc Rowell was sent to Pathfinder school with the 9th Troop Carrier Command.

John was discharged on 10 December 1945

His military decorations include the Bronze Service Arrowhead device awarded for participation in the Normandy assault.

John married Margaret Virginia Wallace in Emporia, Virginia on 14 June 1946.  She died on 28 February 2011 and lies beside him.