John T. Bauer (May 4, 1936–October 22, 1995)
By James Stoddard
Early Life
John T. Bauer was born on May 4, 1936. According to the 1940 Census, pictured here, his family resided in Detroit, Michigan. Bauer’s father, Edward, worked as an assistant elevator starter in an office building,1 ensuring that the elevators in his building operated within the safety standards and weight limits of the time.2 Bauer’s mother, Winnifred, and his eldest sister, Victoria, were born in English-speaking Canada.3 The location of Victoria’s birth suggests that Bauer’s parents married in Canada. Like Bauer himself, the remainder of his three siblings were born in Michigan.4
Military Service
Bauer was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on January 11, 1954.5 At some point during his three years on active duty, Bauer deployed to the Korean Peninsula.6 Since the signing of the armistice ending the Korean Conflict, the United States has maintained a regular military presence within the Republic of Korea. Bauer likely took part in the early years of this effort. While stationed in South Korea, he received the Korean Service Medal.7 This medal was awarded to armed forces personnel performing duties on the Korean Peninsula between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954.8 Bauer attained the rank of corporal and was released from active duty on January 10, 1957.9
Post-Service
Little is available regarding Bauer’s life after he was discharged from the Marine Corps. At some point, he moved to Florida and passed away on October 22, 1995. John T. Bauer is memorialized at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.10
Endnotes
1 “1940 United States Census,” database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 12, 2017), entry for John T. Bauer, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, p. 1B.
2“Elevator Starter: A Description for the Elevator Starter Job,” Job-Descriptions.org, (http://www.job-descriptions.org: accessed on July 14, 2017).
3 “1940 United States Census,” database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 12, 2017), entry for John T. Bauer, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, p. 1B.
4 “1940 United States Census,” database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 12, 2017), entry for John T. Bauer, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, p. 1B.
5 “Cpl John Bauer-Timeline,” Together We Served.com, (http://www.togetherweserved.com: accessed on July 6, 2017).
6 “Cpl John Bauer-Timeline,” Together We Served.com, (http://www.togetherweserved.com: accessed on July 6, 2017).
7 “Cpl John Bauer-Timeline,” Together We Served.com, (http://www.togetherweserved.com: accessed on July 6, 2017).
8 “Korean Service Medal-KSM,” Medals of America, (http://www.medalsofamerica.com: accessed July 6, 2017).
9 “Cpl John Bauer-Timeline,” Together We Served.com, (http://www.togetherweserved.com: accessed on July 6, 2017).
10 “John T. Bauer,” Nationwide Gravesite Locator, (https://gravelocator.cem.va.gov: accessed August 31, 2017).a
© 2017, University of Central Florida
