John H. Van Vliet Jr
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John H. "Jack" Van Vliet Jr (November 9, 1914 ā February 5, 2000) was a career United States Army officer. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (U.S.M.A.) in 1937, fought in North Africa with II Corps (United States), and was captured during the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid on February 17, 1943. While a captive of the Germans, Van Vliet Jr and fellow POW Captain Donald B. Stewart were selected to attend the Katyn Commission investigation into the Polish officers found murdered in the Katyn Forest near Smolensk, Russia.[1] Van Vliet Jr and Stewart were U.S. Registered Code Users who sent coded messages from Oflag 64 to MIS-X in Fort Hunt[2] New Jersey which identified the Soviets as the perpetrators of the massacre. After their liberation, they testified before the United States House Select Committee to Conduct an Investigation of the Facts, Evidence, and Circumstances of the Katyn Forest Massacre about their experiences at the Katyn Commission exhumations.[3]
John H. Van Vliet Jr | |
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Born | (1914-11-09)November 9, 1914 |
Died | February 5, 2000(2000-02-05) (aged 85) |
Occupation | United States Army |
Spouse | Miriam Samelson |
Children | Jacqueline, Susan, Sara, and John H. Van Vliet III |