KG6DE 1948 Guam

John P. Tutka, age 97, of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Holy Spirit Hospital. Born March 27, 1921 in Russellton, PA, he was the son of the late Michael and Leopoldine (Schatzer) Tutka. John was a World War II U.S. Army combat veteran who served in the 99th Infantry Division and fought in numerous engagements in the European Theater. He had received the Bronze Star for his role in the Battle of the Bulge. Following the war, he served a brief stint in the Navy, joined the Army Air Corps where he served as a B-29 radio operator, and eventually worked with the Titan Missile Program in Cape Canaveral. He ultimately retired from the Air Force, having achieved the rank of Master Sergeant after more than 22 years of cumulative service. Following his military service, John worked for more than 20 years for the Cumberland Valley School District and continued to work, eventually retiring at the age of 80. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, VFW Post 477 in Carlisle, and the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Queenship Council. In his free time, he had a love of gardening and was an active HAM radio operator, a lifelong interest that began in the mid-1930's....
--Published in Patriot-News from July 27 to July 29, 2018.

His other callsigns were W3KFX, WB3BYJ.

QSL from the estate of W5BGP / W5IO
QSL & Info courtesy of W5KNE