John Lyle McCartney was born March 18, 1925 in Washburn, Sebastian Co., Ar. to Bert & Minnie Seamans McCartney. November 9, 1946 John, living in Greenwood Sebastian Co., Ar. married Eva Jo Basham a resident of Mansfield Sebastian Co., Ar. The marriage was in Logan County, Arkansas. March 18, 1943 John registered for the military draft at the Court House in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. He enlisted in the US Army June 12, 1943 and served until January 25, 1946. In 1944 in the battle of the Huntgen Forest, which was from 19 September to February 1945, he was injured by shrapnel in his arm and leg. It was the longest battle on German ground during World War II and is the longest single battle the U.S. Army has ever fought. He recived a Bronze Star for carrying wounded out of harms way under heavy fire. The full story of that long battle can be found