John (Jack) H. Pinch

John graduated from Sharpsville Area High School and attended Mercyhurst College. While a senior in high school, he and Ted Dalton enlisted in the Marines under the Buddy System. As a young Marine of less than 20 years of age, John was sent to Vietnam in December of 1967. John's exemplary service resulted in him receiving three Purple Hearts in a period of three months. Although he wanted to stay with his unit, the Marine Corps mandated that he be taken out of the war zone when he received this third Purple Heart. Upon his discharge from the service, he became a Pennsylvania State Police Officer, a position he held for over 20 years. Embracing the Scottish Heritage from his mother, John pursued the playing of bag pipes and was a member of the Grove City Highland Pipe Band, the Allegheny and District Pipe Band and Veteran's Memorial Pipe Band. He also was a piper for the Pennsylvania State Police. John was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, life member of the VFW, and a member of the Scottish Rite Society. A memorial service will be held at a later date.