John Harkness was a graduate of Downers Grove High School and was in his 3rd year at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Ia in pre-med studies. John was an athlete, playing on various teams through high school and in college. He was made all-conference in West Suburban football and was a letterman at Coe. He spent many years in the local Boy Scout program, achieving Eagle Scout. He planned to start his medical coursework at the University of Iowa after the war. John had been inducted into the Army the week before and was to report to Ft. Sheridan the same morning of his death. It is believed that while completing preparations for his departure, which included cleaning his personal gun collection, a .22 rifle discharged accidentally, causing his death.
John Harkness’s name is engraved on the plaque at Memorial Park in Downers Grove honoring local servicemen who never returned home from World War II.
Source: Downers Grove Reporter January 14, 1943
