John Melcher, b. 1924

John Melcher was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on September 6, 1924. He lived in Dubuque and Ashton, Iowa, before residing on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and graduating from high school at Oelrichs, South Dakota. He attended the University of Minnesota before serving with the 76th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II. He was wounded in action in Germany and awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Bronze Star.

He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1950 from Iowa State University and established the Yellowstone Veterinary Clinic in Forsyth, Montana, that same year. He practiced there until 1969.

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