GARCIA, John

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ November 21, 1947, p.1 John Garcia Rest At Last In Native Soil Soldier Brought Home From European Grave Johnnie Garcia came home from the wars Monday. He fought in France and in Belgium and in the latter country, on January 19, 1945 he was killed in action firing a machine gun with the 120th Infantry of the United States Army. Johnnie’s body, in a massive bronze casket, was lowered into a grave in the Garcia family cemetery just north of town at exactly 11 o’clock under a soft, blue Arizona sky and in mellow, warming sunshine – two things which he probably loved but spoke little about and doubtless longed for on a many a dull, drab day as he slushed through the rain, snow and mud of far off lands where his native country sent him to fight and die. Johnnie’s body, along with those of hundreds of other American boys, was brought back to the United States several weeks ago, aboard an army transport. It arrived in Wickenburg early last Saturday morning with a Technical Sergeant of the Army as escort. Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts met the train and in precise formation, removed the casket and took it to the Wickenburg Chapel. There on Sunday evening, a Rosary was held. Church Services Monday morning at 10 o’clock, the casket was taken under escort of the veteran groups to St. Anthony’s church where Father D. F. O’Sullivan celebrated a low mass and afterwards paid tribute to the deceased soldier and his family members of which where the casket lay, under armed guard, and covered with an American flag. “Johnnie Garcia died,” he said, “that you and I might live as free individuals in a free nation. He and thousands of his fellow Americans fought against an aggressor who threatened that way of life. But today, with the clash of battle barely ceased, we find another aggressor springing up and sadly we contemplate the thought that many sons of America and of other nations have shed their blood in vain.” Last Rites Said From the church, the casket was taken to the cemetery where the pallbearers placed it above the open grave and Rev. O’Sullivan performed the last ceremonial rites of the church. The American Legion funeral service, were then conducted by Post Adjutant Harold Nervick and R. B. Sullivan, acting three volley over the grave and the clear, poignant notes of Taps were sounded. Serving as pallbearers were Johnnie’s two older brothers, Bill and Ygnacio of Los Angeles; his cousins, Joe and Adolph Garcia; Pet and Luis Ramirez and Martin Jaime. Johnnie Garcia was the son of Ygnacio Garcia and Mrs. Garcia. He was born in Wickenburg, attended Elementary school and lived here until his enlistment in the army.