Lieutenant John Marlin McKie

Son of Louis and Julia McKie of Wray. Husband of Mrs. Minnie Hamill McKie of Green City, Missouri.

Green City Press, Green City Missouri, August 3, 1944
("McKee" spelling is from the two 1944 Green City Press clippings.)

John M. McKee Gives His Life in France

Mrs. John M. McKee of Green City received word Monday that her husband had made the supreme sacrifice in this war, having been killed in action in France June 14. At the time of his death young McKee was a First Lieutenant and was in line for promotion to Captain. He had been in service for over four years.

Lt. McKee served in Hawaii in the Pacific nine months coming back to the States in August, 1942, following which time he took a special three months course in tanks at Ft. Knox, Ky. following which he was station at Camp Hood, Camp Swift and Camp Bowie, Texas. His wife and two small sons managed to be with him most of the time he was back in the US by living in towns near where he was stationed.

McKee brought his family to Green City in January to live with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hammill and visited here five days before going back to camp. He went overseas again in February and was in England from that time until the invasion June 6th. At the time of his death he was with a tank division.

John M. McKee was born in Haigler, Nebr., April 16, 1914, and died on the field of battle in France June 14, 1944, being at the time of his death 30 years, 1 month and 28 days old.

He was married to Minnie Mae Hammill September 4, 1939, at Denver, Colo. They were living there when he was called into active service with a National Guard outfit in October 1939.

He is survived by his widow, two sons, Daniel Louis and John Wayne McKee, his mother, Mrs. Sam Hudson of Denver, Colo., and a brother, Forrest McKee, a Major with a Tank Division in the U.S. Army serving overseas.

Green City Press, Green City, Missouri, August 31, 1944

Memorial Services for John M. McKee Sunday

Memorial services were held at the Methodist church in Green City Sunday, August 27, at 2:30 p.m. for Lieutenant John M. McKee. The services were quite impressive, with a large sympathetic crowd in attendance.

The chancel was decorated with flowers and with a large United States Flag. A picture of Lt. McKee, surrounded by flowers, was suspended in the center of the flag.

The pastor, Rev. G.T. Rolston, conducted the services, assisted by Mrs. Millard Chapman and Miss Claudine Riley who sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" with Mrs. Roy Long at the piano.

John Marlin McKee was born April 16, 1914, at Haigler, Nebr.. He graduated from Wray high school, Wray, Colo., in 1934. He as married to Minnie Mae Hamill Sept. 4, 1939 at Denver, Colorado. They made their home in Denver and he as called into the service with a National Guard outfit in October 1939. He saw service in Hawaii where he he was stationed 9 months, then returned to the States and was stationed at Ft. Knox, Ky., Camp Hood, Camp Swift and Camp Bowie, Texas before being sent overseas to the European theater of war last February.

Lt. McKee took part in the invasion of France and died on the field of battle June 14, 1944 while serving with a tank division. Shortly before his death, young McKee had been recommended for promotion to Captain.

He is survived by his companions, two sons Daniel Lewis and John Wayne McKee, his mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hudson of Denver, Colo., and a brother, Major Forest McKee, who is also serving with a tank division, other relatives and a host of friends.

Out of town relatives who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hudson of Denver, Mr. and Mrs. Murl Hamill and two daughters of Canton, Missouri.

Yuma Pioneer January 11, 1945

Wray News

Captain John McKie was KIA in France, June 14, 1944. He and his family were once from Wray.

Wray Gazette March 8, 1945

Bronze Star Presented to Mrs. John McKie

Mrs. Sam Hudson of Denver has provided us with a clipping from a Green City, Missouri, paper concerning her son, Lt. John M. McKie, that will be of interest to friends here:

"Lt. Col. Wm. W. Wurger of Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, came to Green City Tuesday to make a personal presentation of the Bronze Star Medal to Mrs. John M. McKie which had been awarded to her husband, Lt. John M. McKie, who was killed in action in France last June. The medal was awarded 'for meritorious achievement against the enemy on June 9, 1944, in ... France.' Col. Wurger was designated by Major General Karl Truesdell, commanding general at Ft. Leavenworth, to present the medal in his behalf. The presentation took place in the home of Mrs. Mckie's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hammill, northwest of Green City. Mrs. McKie had previously received the Purple Heart which had been awarded to her husband."

Mrs. Hudson also informs us that her son, Major Forrest McKie, who was in the European war area, has been returned to the United States, arriving in New York by plane on February 2, and has been in Denver on a 30-day leave. He and his family have left for Vancouver, Washington where he will be hospitalized at Barnes General Hospital.

Green City Press, Green City, Missouri, February 12, 1948

Lt. John M. McKie

The body of 1st Lieutenant John Marlin McKie arrived at Milan Tuesday from overseas and was met there by an escort from Green City post No. 365, American Legion, and was brought to the Kent Funeral Home. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. H.R. Tate. Burial was made in Green City cemetery with local Legion boys performing last rites at the grave.

Lt. McKie paid the supreme sacrifice for his country in the invasion of France when he as killed in action June 14, 1944. he was posthumously awarded the bronze star for bravery in action.

John Marlin, son of Louis and Julia McKie, was born at Haigler, Nebr., April 16, 1914. He grew to manhood at Wray, Colo. On Sept. 4, 1939, he was united in marriage to Minnie Mae Hamill. To this union two sons were born, Daniel Louis and John Wayne. he was preceded in death by his father, August 16, 1923. His wife Minnie Mae passed away October 6, 1947. He is survived by his sons, his mother, Mrs. Sam Hudson; a brother Major Forrest McKie and other relatives to mourn their loss.

Go to previous page | next page.

Return to Gold Star Veterans Listing.