John V. Power

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John Vincent Power
November 20, 1918(1918-11-20) – February 1, 1944 (aged 25)
  
John V. Power, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth Worcester, Massachusetts
Place of death KIA on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1942–1944
Rank First Lieutenant
Unit 4th Marine Division
Battles/wars World War II
*Battle of Kwajalein
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

John Vincent Power (20 November 1918 – 1 February 1944) was a United States Marine Corps first lieutenant who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of his life during the Battle of Kwajalein in World War II.

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[edit] Early years

John Power was born on 20 November 1918 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was educated in the local schools and graduated from Classical High School in 1936. He graduated from Holy Cross in 1941, where he participated in tennis, basketball, football, and golf.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 7 July 1942, and was soon assigned to Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserve on 31 October 1942, and entered the 14th Reserve Officers Class at Quantico, Virginia, for a two-month course of instruction.

[edit] World War II

In January 1943, 2dLt Power joined Company E, 3rd Separate Battalion, and deployed with that unit in March to Camp Pendleton, California. The designation of his unit was changed to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, and the unit subsequently joined the newly-formed 4th Marine Division. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 31 August 1943.

First Lieutenant Power sailed with his unit in mid-January 1944 from San Diego harbor, and on 1 February 1944, the 24th Marines participated in the assault at Roi-Namur in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Roi was conquered in short order and the surviving Japanese fled to nearby Namur. It was during the battle of Namur Island that 1stLt Power was killed in action and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, when he charged a Japanese pillbox despite a severe stomach wound.

The Medal of Honor was presented to his parents by President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House in November 1944.

First Lieutenant Power was initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll. His remains were later returned for burial in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1945, the destroyer USS Power (DD-839) was named in his honor.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN V. POWER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as platoon leader attached to the Fourth Marine Division during the landing and the battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, February 1, 1944. Severely wounded in the stomach while setting a demolition charge on a Japanese pillbox, First Lieutenant Power was steadfast in his determination to remain in action. Protecting his wound with his left hand and firing with his right, he courageously advanced as another hostile position was taken under attack, fiercely charging the opening made by the explosion and emptying his carbine into the pillbox. While attempting to reload and continue the attack, First Lieutenant Power was shot again in the stomach and head and collapsed in the doorway. His exceptional valor, fortitude and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of withering enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

John's Medal of Honor was donated by his sisters to the College of the Holy Cross. The plaque from the USS Power also is located at the College in front of the Hogan Campus Center.

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal
  • William D. Hawkins, Marine whose posthumous Medal of Honor was awarded on the same day as Power's.

[edit] References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.

[edit] External links