Link other Ritchie Boys named in Facebook bio/gallery captions
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|class_section=15
|class_section=15
|class_rank=2nd Lt
|class_rank=2nd Lt
|class_branch=QMC
|birth_year=1919
|birth_year=1919
|death_year=2015
|death_year=2015
|nativity=Ge
|nativity=Germany
|religion=H
|religion=Jewish
|overseas=Y
|overseas=Y
|certificate=1780
|certificate=1780
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|class_number=7
|class_number=7
|class_display=7
|class_display=7
|birth_place=Germany
|photo=3332753143413250.jpg
|arm_or_service=Quartermaster Corps
|rank_final=First Lieutenant
|awards=Bronze Star Medal
|awards_grid=Bronze Star Medal
|awards_extra=
|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.png
|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.png
}}
}}


<div class="soldier-lead">
<div class="soldier-lead">
'''[[Kay, John Lewis (01584444)|John Lewis Kay]]''' (1919–2015) was a Ritchie Boy (from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 7.
'''[[Kay, John Lewis (01584444)|John Lewis Kay]]''' (1919–2015) was a Ritchie Boy (from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 7. The record lists a final rank of First Lieutenant.
</div>
</div>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
[[Kay, John Lewis (01584444)|John Kay]] (birth name Hans Kaumheimer), was born in Germany, and went to high school in Italy. He served in the US Army during WWII and later worked as a Civil Affairs Officer (CAO). He fought in the campaigns to liberate Italy where he served as CAO with the following Divisions since the initial landing at Salerno: 56 Div (Brit), 7th Armored Div (Brit), 5 Div (Brit), 45th Div (US), all Divs in X Corps except 45th. Officer also served as CAO for the Communes of Mondragone, Carolina-Falciano, and Francolise. Lt [[Kay, John Lewis (01584444)|John Kay]] was awarded the Bronze Star medal by Gen. Mark Clark for "heroic achievement in action" on October 31, 1944, in recognition for his actions that resulted in saving the lives of more than 1,000 civilians during the Italian campaign.
On 5 June 1942, Kay was naturalized in San Bernardino, CA (Certificate # 5417534). Worked as hotel clerk (Mark Hopkins Hotel). He served in the US Army during WWII and later worked as a Civil Affairs Officer (CAO). He fought in the campaigns to liberate Italy where he served as CAO with the following Divisions since the initial landing at Salerno: 56 Div (Brit), 7th Armored Div (Brit), 5 Div (Brit), 45th Div (US), all Divs in X Corps except 45th. Officer also served as CAO for the Communes of Mondragone, Carolina-Falciano, and Francolise.


== Research notes ==
== Research notes ==
* IV Corps (to Major)
* IV Corps (to Major)
* OCR (97%) of `3332775190077712.jpg` (Bronze Star) — dated 2 March 1944 — rank mentioned: First Lieutenant.
* OCR mentioned officer rank First Lieutenant (not auto-filled — verify).


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
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| row_source || both
| row_source || both
|}
|}
== Timeline ==
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline">
<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
* Born 13 September 1919 in Munich (as Hans Ludwig Kaumheimer) to Jewish parents.
* 5 June 1942 — Naturalized in San Bernardino, CA (Certificate # 5417534).
* 31 October 1944 — Awarded Bronze Star for saving more than one thousand persons in.
* final grade (88 vs 94 for Ernest H. Bloch). Promoted to 1st Lt.
</div>
</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2020-07-18 (1 post)
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2020-07-18 (1 post)
* [[:File:3332775190077712.jpg|OCR-reviewed Facebook gallery document: 3332775190077712.jpg]]
* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of John Lewis Kay for Camp Ritchie'' (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed)
* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Kay, John Lewis for Camp Ritchie'' (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: JOHN LEWIS KAY.doc)