John Ent '48
Loyalty to Mechanicsburg High School
Following high school graduation, John Ent enlisted in the United States Army Infantry and was deployed to the Korean War. He was wounded there and received the Purple Heart. In 1970 he was stationed in Chu Lai, Vietnam and later stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, working for the US Army European Command. He retired from service as Lt. Colonel and later in 1996 retired from the US Postal Service.
About five years ago, John wondered if there existed any kind of record of the names of fellow Mechanicsburg Area High School graduates who served in World War II. He decided to look into it and after searching he learned that there it and after searching he learned that there was no such record. For the next three years he worked tirelessly researching, interviewing and compiling information for the sole purpose of creating a lasting record and acknowledgement of the men and women who attended Mechanicsburg High School and served in the armed forces during WWII. The results of his efforts, is the book he published himself called "Heroes Among Us".
On June 6, 2004, John held an event at the Simpson Public Library in which he invited all of the people from the book to come and sign each of five copies to be donated to the Cumberland County Historical Society, the Mechanicsburg Museum Association, the Mechanicsburg Area School District, the Simpson Public Library and the Army War College in Carlisle.
John's hobbies include traveling with his wife of 56 years, Mary Jane Rider Ent, '49, reading, WWII history, woodworking and home improvement projects. John has two daughters, Deborah Ent Hoffman, '67, and Melanie Ent Fisher, '78. He has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
John Ent's book, "Heroes Among Us" is evidence of his loyalty to our alumni with the stories of the men and women who attended stories of the men and women who attended Mechanicsburg High School and served our country in WWII. Knowing the sacrifices these men and women made, his book will live on for generations and make us proud to be part of Mechanicsburg High School's history.
About five years ago, John wondered if there existed any kind of record of the names of fellow Mechanicsburg Area High School graduates who served in World War II. He decided to look into it and after searching he learned that there it and after searching he learned that there was no such record. For the next three years he worked tirelessly researching, interviewing and compiling information for the sole purpose of creating a lasting record and acknowledgement of the men and women who attended Mechanicsburg High School and served in the armed forces during WWII. The results of his efforts, is the book he published himself called "Heroes Among Us".
On June 6, 2004, John held an event at the Simpson Public Library in which he invited all of the people from the book to come and sign each of five copies to be donated to the Cumberland County Historical Society, the Mechanicsburg Museum Association, the Mechanicsburg Area School District, the Simpson Public Library and the Army War College in Carlisle.
John's hobbies include traveling with his wife of 56 years, Mary Jane Rider Ent, '49, reading, WWII history, woodworking and home improvement projects. John has two daughters, Deborah Ent Hoffman, '67, and Melanie Ent Fisher, '78. He has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
John Ent's book, "Heroes Among Us" is evidence of his loyalty to our alumni with the stories of the men and women who attended stories of the men and women who attended Mechanicsburg High School and served our country in WWII. Knowing the sacrifices these men and women made, his book will live on for generations and make us proud to be part of Mechanicsburg High School's history.