Captain John C. Von Kaenel was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 1, 27 September 1941. His first duty assignment was Mortar Platoon Leader, Company D, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Executive Officer, Company D, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Gordon, Georgia; Mess Officer, Officer in Charge Officer's Mess 8th Infantry Regiment, Fort Dix, New Jersey; Captain, Service Company, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Dix, New Jersey and European Theatre of Operation (World War II); Captain, A Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Korea.