John L. Cuddy was born to Lola Hickey and John Cuddy on May 9, 1922.  At the time, the family resided in 605 Broad St. in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.  Lola Hickey and John Cuddy, his parents, also gave birth to Dorothy (Akerman) and Ruth Cuddy.  Later in John’s childhood his birth father, John Cuddy, died.  Lola Hickey then remarried to Aloysius Hickey, who gave birth to Alice (Torello); Alice was John L. Cuddy’s half sister. 

As a child John L. Cuddy attended St. Patrick Elementary School.  As he moved into his adolescent years, John attended and graduated from Kennett High school.  This is where he met his high school sweet heart, Kathryn Brackin.  Kathryn and John married Christmas Eve 1941.

While in high school, John was a terrific student, he was involved in many sports, and was in numerous clubs.  He also attended the neighborhood St. Patrick’s church.

 

 

 

 

John enlisted to the Army Air Corps in 1941.  He went to basic training in Pine Camp, New York.  Later he went to Fort Knox Kentucky, Bowie Texas, and a desert in California for more training.  John’s rank was a Technical Corporal, or Tec/5. 

 

During the war in Europe, John was wounded in France, while in the Normandy Campaign.  He was originally a tank driver, but after he was shot in the shoulder in France he was assigned to be a rifleman. 

John was wounded again in Belgium.  The last and final battle John fought in was the Battle of the Bulge.  John L. Cuddy died on January 15, 1945 at age 26.  The memorial service was held in St. Patrick’s Church.  He was buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery on April 23, 1945. His funeral was closed with firing the three-gun salute and playing the taps.

 

 

John’s family received many awards and metals for his bravery, including the Purple Heart.

~*~*~John L. Cuddy, Rest In Peace~*~*~