Representative John P. Yates was born November 24th, 1921 in Griffin, Georgia. He and 3 of his 4 brothers served in WWII; 2 were prisoners of war and one was hospitalized, but they all came back home at the war’s end. His military service included extensive service during the Battle of the Bulge. As a Liaison Pilot of a Piper Cub airplane, he adjusted artillery fire on the enemy. While flying over 200 missions near or over enemy lines, he was awarded 6 air medals and 4 battle stars. In his interview he remembers being trained as an officer, flight school, flying a Piper Cub, and the fighting conditions at the Battle of the Bulge. He was elected to Georgia's House of Representatives in 1993 where he continues to serve.