John Theodore Bettinger, Jr.

Technician Fifth Grade Bettinger enlisted on Aug. 19, 1943. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program and sent to Fort Benning, Georgia, for technical training. Upon completing his training, Bettinger was assigned to the 86th Division and deployed to Europe, where he participated in the Central Europe campaign. In June 1945, he returned home to America. He landed at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, headed to Camp Grant, Illinois, and finally arrived in Madison. He enjoyed a short furlough at home but was soon deployed to the Pacific to clear out the remaining Japanese soldiers. Sadly, Technician 5th Class Bettinger contracted polio while stationed in Manila, which he succumbed to on Nov. 10, 1945. His remains were returned to Wisconsin, and he is interred at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison. His epitaph reads: "T/5 John Bettinger Jr. - Died at Manila P.I. - Lover of Beauty, Seeker of Truth"