John Chesther Byas was the son of James Alfred Byas and Viola Esther Shockney. He was married to Mildred Lorraine King and father of Gary Chester Byas and Janice Byas.
Sergeant John Chestley Byas was assigned to the 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. At the time of his death the 45th had liberated Dachau Concentration Camp on the 29th of April and the next two days battled into Munich, Germany.
Sergeant Byas was killed in action on 30 April 1945. He is interred at E,23,34, Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 16 May 1945
Reported killed in action was Sgt. John C. Byas, son of Mrs. J.M. Byas, 422 Walnut Street and husband of Mrs. John C. Byas, 2808 East 46th Street. Sgt. Byas, the father of two children, Gary and Janice, entered the service in 1944. He went overseas in November, 1944. He attended Chattanooga High School and was employed at the Chattanooga Neon and Electric Company before entering the service. He was the brother of A.W. Byas, 1609 Anderson Avenue; S/Sgt Joe Byas, now in a hospital in England, two sisters, Mrs. Mildred McKenzie and Mrs. Ruth Elliott of Chattanooga.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 11 October 1919
- Date of death: 30 April 1945
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle), France
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor John C. Byas
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