The Rotary Club of Enfield is honoring Enfield’s veterans by sponsoring military tribute banners that will be displayed in Higgins Park, the Town Green, Freshwater Walkway, North Main Street and Hazardville between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2026 and 2027. The Enfield Public Library partnered with Enfield Rotary to preserve digital versions of these banners as well as biographical information about each veteran.
John E. Reese
United States Army air corps 1939-1945
World War II
staff sergeant
american defense medal
bronze star (2)
Asian-Pacific Theater Campaign ribbon
Distinguished Unit Badge
World War II Victory Mdeal
Good Conduct Medal
John E. Reese served in the US Army Air Corps, from 1939 to 1945, and held the rank of Staff Sergeant upon his honorable discharge. He was stationed in several bases across the United States and eventually travelled around the world during this time with stops in Wellington New Zealand, Melbourne Australia, Freemantle Australia, Bombay India, Karachi India, and Debugar India.
He was awarded two Bronze Stars, the American Defense Medal, the Asian-Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.
As a crew chief for C-46 transport aircraft, John flew the "Hump" over the Himalayas from India to Kunming China many times, delivering supplies to Allied forces fighting the Japanese military in China. Over the course of the war, this dangerous mission accounted for over 500 aircraft crashes and the loss of more than 1,300 crewmembers, earning it the name “the aluminum trail.”
