Woodbury County

John E. Muir Jr.

 

 

Sioux Cityan Is Awarded Candidacy to Officers School

Fort Lewis, Washington -- Special: John Muir of Sioux City, a sergeant in the United States Army, has been awarded a candidacy to the officers candidate school (infantry) at Fort Benning, Georgia.

The Iowan was selected for this course after his service of four and one-half years in the army had been carefully considered by an examining board. Upon graduating from the school, he will be given a reserve commission as second lieutenant of infantry.

Muir, 25, is a platoon sergeant in Company M, a machine gun company, in the famous 15th “Can Do” infantry which served intermittently in China from 1900 up to 1938. The regiment was recently on strike duty at the North American Aviation corporation, Inglewood, California.

His mother, Mrs. Margaret Muir lives at 2301 Hamilton Street, Sioux City.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, Sept. 13, 1941

John Muir promoted first lieutenant to captain. He is stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Capt. Muir, who is a graduate of Central high school, entered the service January 13, 1937.

James Lyle Muir, a brother, has enlisted in the merchant marines and is stationed at San Francisco.

Source:  The Sioux City Journal, unknown publication

First Lieut. John E. Muir, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Muir, 2301 Hamilton Street, has returned to camp after a five-day leave spent at home. He was stationed at Camp McClelland, Alabama.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, September 23, 1942

John E. Muir, jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Muir, 2301 Hamilton street, has been promoted from first lieutenant to captain.  He is stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama.  Capt. Muir, who is a graduate of Central high school, entered the service January 13, 1937.  James Lyle Muir, a brother, has enlisted in the merchant marines and is stationed at San Francisco.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 9, 1943 (photo included)

Bronze Star to Infantry Captain for Heroic Action

Capt. John E. Muir, Jr., son of Mr. And Mrs. E.J. Muir, 2301 Hamilton Street, has been awarded the bronze star medal for heroic achievement in action while serving with the infantry against an armed enemy in Belgium, December 30, 1944.

Capt. Muir, realizing that the main defensive line of his battalion was being threatened by the withdrawal of several elements of the battalion that were being forced out of position by heavy enemy pressure, took charge of these groups and led them back to their positions, the citation said.

He was graduated from Central High School and enlisted in the army January 13, 1937. He has been overseas since last October. James Lyle Muir, a brother, is in the merchant marine.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 1, 1945

IN UNIFORM

Capt. John E. Muir, son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Muir, 2301 Hamilton street, has been awarded the bronze star for gallantry and efficiency in combat against the enemy.  After a Nazi counterattack, individuals and small groups became separated from their organizations.  Capt. Muir rounded up the stragglers and organized a system of returning them to their units on the spot.  He then set up a defensive position for the entire battalion, assigned areas to each of the companies and the guns and as each new man came in he personally led him to his proper location.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 10, 1945


Took Coblenz
Sioux City Major Is Decorated for Gallantry in Action

The Silver Star was presented to Maj. John E. Muir, Jr., of Sioux City, by Maj. Gen. Frank L. Culin, Jr. commanding general of the 87th Golden Acorn division in a review at Fort Benning, Georgia, August 28.

The award was made to Maj. Muir for gallantry in action on March 16 near Coblenz, Germany, when the 345th infantry regiment, of which Maj. Muir was executive officer of the first battalion, captured the city.

Maj. Muir is the son of Mrs. J.E. Muir, 2301 Hamilton Street, Sioux City.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, September 9, 1945 (photo included)