Frazier International History Museum

John Plamp was born in Louisville, KY, and enjoyed a happy and comfortable childhood despite the depression. Upon graduation from St. Xavier High School he and his friends assumed they would be drafted – it would have been "embarrassing" to stay home. Wanting to join the Air Corps, but extremely near-sighted, he cheated the required eye test; however, he was ultimately placed the Army infantry anyway. He carried five sets of eyeglasses with him for various conditions.

He fought on a mortar team in many battles, including the Battle of Bitche. In 1945, thinking the war was nearly over, his unit came across a German officer’s PX supply of fine delicacies, including champagne. They offloaded some of their ammunition to make room for it. Not long after, his batallion was called upon to provide cover for another division. Later, the Germans decided to make a stand at that very spot, and a firefight ensued.

"I said, ’Schwartz, Lieutenant says put intermittent fire, HE Light (lightweight high explosives) right on our position here.’ Schwartz says, ’John, hold the phone.’ ...[When] he came back, says, ’John, I’m sorry. We’re all out of HE Light. All we got left is champagne."

They were captured, but managed to escape by sneaking away in a snowstorm. They were then recaptured when they sought refuge in a barn, only to find an armed German soldier there. Trying to convince the soldier to release them, John Plamp gave his only three cigarettes to him. It started the conversation that eventually led to their release.