Jean Sandberg is proud of her husband, World War II veteran John Sandberg, who proudly served his country and just turned 99.
CANFIELD — World War II veteran John Sandberg just turned 99 and is still feeling good about life. He served on two fronts during the war and had his own big victory after his return to civilian life.
Sandberg grew up on Youngstown’s South Side and is a 1943 graduate of South High School. Graduating in the middle of a world war was a given when it came to serving his country.
“I graduated (high school) in June of 1943 and went into the Army in November,” Sandberg said. “I enlisted. With the war going on, I knew I would be drafted anyway.”
At age 18, Sandberg headed to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Nov. 29, 1943, to begin his basic training. He trained to be a gunner on a 105 mm Howitzer cannon and was assigned to the 303rd Field Artillery Unit.
“We were sent to Camp Cooke in California,” he said. “We thought we were going to the Pacific, but then we found out we were needed in Europe.”
Sandberg’s unit headed to Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, and in March, 1945, headed to Sigberg, Germany. The unit ended up in Dusseldorf, Germany, where the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket would take place. It was the industrial heartland of Germany along the Rhine River, which was a huge obstacle in the war.
Sandberg said there were 12 Howitzers in his battalion and they supported the infantry in that battle. He said a lot of American lives were lost.
After the battle, Sandberg’s unit headed to the border of Czechoslovakia to assist in liberating the country.
“It was the tail end of the war (in Europe),” Sandberg said. “We helped end the war. We thought we would be going home, but instead we were sent to Japan.”
He said they were stationed in Japan after the bomb was dropped. His unit was used as an occupation force in Japan. While there, many Japanese were like servants to the U.S. forces. One particular day, Sandberg was getting a massage from a Japanese fellow who spoke excellent English.
“He asked where I was from and I told him Youngstown, Ohio,” Sandberg said. “He told me he was a buyer and purchased steel in Youngstown from my uncle Walter Jenkins. He had actually been in my home before the war.”
It was a “what are the chances” encounter for Sandberg and one he never forgot.
His unit was eventually sent back home and Sandberg decided to advance his education by attending Youngstown College (later to become Youngstown State University). He graduated in 1950 after earning a degree in accounting. For two years, he worked for Libby and Libby Accounting, then in 1952 was hired at Shenango Steel.
“I worked my way up the ladder and became a part owner,” he said.
Eventually Shenango was taken over by Sharon Steel, and Sandberg stayed on as a sales manager. He also faced another battle with alcoholism.
“I drank after returning home from the war for close to 30 years,” he said.
In the steel business, he often met with clients over a few drinks. Before long, he found he could not go without alcohol.
“Around 1982, I realized I needed to deal with my problem,” he said. “I attended Alcoholics Anonymous and was able to kick the habit. I have been alcohol free for 43 years.”
He still carries the AA book “One Day at a Time” with him and every day, without ceasing, he reads a passage from the book. The book is beat up and the backing is in bad condition. His wife Jean wanted to replace it with a new one, but Sandberg said he wanted to always keep the one that helped set him on a road to better health.
“Today, all I drink is coffee,” he said.
John Sandberg
AGE: 99
RANK: Master sergeant
RESIDENCE: Canfield
SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. Army
MILITARY HONORS: Variety of theater ribbons
OCCUPATION: Steel Company owner /executive officer
FAMILY: wife-Jean; children-Jaquelin, Debra, Michael (deceased) and Patricia (deceased); four stepchildren; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren
