From the July 27, 2021, Aldergrove (British Columbia, Canada) Star "One of Langley's last surviving Second World War veterans is turning 100" by Dan Ferguson.
John Swityk was one of the first Canadian soldiers to land at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.
He was 19 when he enlisted with the First Battalion of the Regina Rifles in North Battleford, SK. After initial training in Canada, they shipped overseas in August 1941 to continue their training in Great Britain, while also providing coastal defense.
As a member of an anti-tank platoon, he trained as a Bren gunner (a light machine gun.).
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he landed at Juno Beach, Normandy and fought his way through the town of Courseulles. On June 7, his platoon was given the job of taking the village of Norrey en Bessin, the farthest in of any of the Allied units.
Within the next few days, John Swityk was promoted to sergeant. He later fought through Normandy, Belgium, the Netherlands and into Germany until the Germans surrendered.
Happy Birthday to One of the Greatest Generation. --GreGen
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