Koons was recently honorably discharged after serving five years in the United States Army.  He was overseas 29 months and saw service in England, France, Belgium and Germany.  At one time he was wounded and held prisoner of the Germans for 18 days after the Normandy invasion.  He was released after the Americans captured the hospital staff, patients and other personnel. 

He again returned to active duty and was in a number of engagements before V-E Day.  At the time of his discharge he held the grade of sergeant.

[The Gazette and Daily, York, PA, Thursday, October 18, 1945, Page 27)