John E. Choate was inducted into the U. S. Army on April 23, 1943, at Camp Forrest, Tennessee.
Serving with the 4th Engineer Special Brigade, he participated in battles and campaigns in New Guinea and Luzon, Philippines.
His awards include the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two bronze stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star.
He was discharged as a technical sergeant on January 23, 1946, at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas.