John G. Rothlauf grew up during the depression in Albany, NY with a father confined to a hospital and a mother and three younger siblings to provide for. Once he was sure they were taken care of, he joined the Navy. He spent spent most of his Navy time aboard the USS Indus in the Pacific during WWII. John particpated as part of the 7th Fleet during the Invasion of the Phillipines and was part the largest naval battle of all time - the battle of Leyte Gulf. He contributed to the war effort as many of the Greatest Generation did and, after the war, was able to have the American life they all fought for.