John registered for the draft in Philadelphia, PA on 16 October 1940 and was inducted into the Army at Fort George G. Meade, MD on 10 February 1942.

The specific date of his arrival in Hq 2nd, 508th PIR is unknown but Pvt Rahn was declared as a qualified parachutist on 5 March 1943,

Then Sgt Rahn is shown going on furlough on  30 November 1943.  On 11 February 1944 he was promoted to SSgt,

SSgt Rahn as wounded in action in Holland on 26 October 194r.

On 18 August 1945 he was transferred in grade to the 513th PIR, 17th Airborne Division.

John submitted this application for the Pennsylvania WWII Veterans Bonus on 10 September 1951,  He was credited with 23 months of domestic duty and 21 months of foreign service which yielded a full $500 bonus payment.

John passed away on 30 August 1990, his final resting place is unknown.