John V. Power
Encyclopedia
John Vincent "Jack" Power (November 20, 1918 – February 1, 1944) was a United States Marine Corps
first lieutenant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Battle of Kwajalein
in World War II
.
. He grew up in that city, living near the Cathedral of Saint Paul
, and in 1937 graduated from Classical High School. He next attended the College of the Holy Cross
, where he participated in tennis, basketball, football, and golf before his graduation in 1941.
One of his math teachers at Holy Cross was Reverend Joseph T. O'Callahan
, who would himself receive the Medal of Honor as a Navy chaplain in World War II. O'Callahan remembered Power as "a good and determined student." After the war, Power's youngest sister, Patricia Power Rose, tended to O'Callahan as a student nurse at Worcester's Saint Vincent Hospital
, where he was a patient.
Power enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on July 7, 1942, and was soon assigned to Officer Candidates School
. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserve on October 31, 1942, and entered the 14th Reserve Officers Class at Quantico
, Virginia, for a two-month course of instruction.
, 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 August 31, 1943.
Power sailed with his unit in mid-January 1944 from San Diego harbor, and on February 1, 1944, the 24th Marines participated in the assault at Roi-Namur
in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
. Roi was captured in short order and the surviving Japanese fled to nearby Namur. It was during the battle of Namur Island that Power was killed in action 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.
Power was initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Roi-Namur. His remains were later returned for burial at St. John's Cemetery in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.
The destroyer was named in his honor. A plaque commemorating the USS Power is located at his alma mater, the College of the Holy Cross, in front of the Hogan Campus Center. Power's sisters donated his Medal of Honor to Holy Cross.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
first lieutenant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the Battle of Kwajalein
Battle of Kwajalein
The Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 31 January-3 February 1944, on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Employing the hard-learned lessons of the battle of Tarawa, the United States launched a successful twin assault on the main islands of...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Early life and career
Power was born on November 20, 1918, in Worcester, MassachusettsWorcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. He grew up in that city, living near the Cathedral of Saint Paul
Cathedral of Saint Paul in Worcester
The Cathedral of Saint Paul — informally known as Saint Paul's Cathedral — is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester in Worcester, Massachusetts....
, and in 1937 graduated from Classical High School. He next attended the College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
, where he participated in tennis, basketball, football, and golf before his graduation in 1941.
One of his math teachers at Holy Cross was Reverend Joseph T. O'Callahan
Joseph T. O'Callahan
Joseph Timothy O'Callahan was a Jesuit priest and, during World War II, a United States Navy chaplain. He was awarded the U.S...
, who would himself receive the Medal of Honor as a Navy chaplain in World War II. O'Callahan remembered Power as "a good and determined student." After the war, Power's youngest sister, Patricia Power Rose, tended to O'Callahan as a student nurse at Worcester's Saint Vincent Hospital
Saint Vincent Hospital
The Saint Vincent Hospital is located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The hospital was founded by the Catholic organization Sisters of Providence in 1893 and was named after the patron saint of the Sisters' order, Saint Vincent de Paul. In 1990, the hospital merged with the Fallon Healthcare System....
, where he was a patient.
Power enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on July 7, 1942, and was soon assigned to Officer Candidates School
Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps)
The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School is the entry-level training for Marine officers, equivalent to recruit training for enlisted Marines. Located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the school trains, screens, and evaluates potential Marine Corps officers...
. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserve on October 31, 1942, and entered the 14th Reserve Officers Class at Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
, Virginia, for a two-month course of instruction.
World War II
In January 1943, Power joined Company E, 3rd Separate Battalion, and deployed with that unit in March to Camp PendletonMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California. The designation of his unit was changed to Company K, 3rd Battalion
3rd Battalion 24th Marines
3rd Battalion 24th Marines is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps located throughout the Midwestern United States consisting of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
, 24th Marine Regiment, and the unit subsequently joined the newly-formed 4th Marine Division. He was promoted to first lieutenant on August 31, 1943.
Power sailed with his unit in mid-January 1944 from San Diego harbor, and on February 1, 1944, the 24th Marines participated in the assault at Roi-Namur
Roi-Namur
Roi-Namur is an island in the northern part of the Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands.Occupied by Japanese forces prior to World War II, it was the target of the U.S. 4th Marine Division in the Battle of Kwajalein, in February 1944....
in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign
In the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, from November 1943 through February 1944, were key strategic operations of the United States Pacific Fleet and Marine Corps in the Central Pacific. The campaign was preceded by a raid on Makin Island by U.S...
. Roi was captured in short order and the surviving Japanese fled to nearby Namur. It was during the battle of Namur Island that Power was killed in action 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
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
in November 1944.
Power was initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Roi-Namur. His remains were later returned for burial at St. John's Cemetery in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.
The destroyer was named in his honor. A plaque commemorating the USS Power is located at his alma mater, the College of the Holy Cross, in front of the Hogan Campus Center. Power's sisters donated his Medal of Honor to Holy Cross.
Medal of Honor citation
Power's official Medal of Honor citation reads:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as platoon leader, attached to the 4th Marine Division, during the landing and battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1 February 1944. Severely wounded in the stomach while setting a demolition charge on a Japanese pillbox, 1st Lt. 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, 1st Lt. 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
See also
- William D. HawkinsWilliam D. HawkinsWilliam Deane Hawkins was a United States Marine Corps officer who was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military honor — the Medal of Honor — for heroic actions and sacrifice of life during the World War II Battle of Tarawa.-Early years:Hawkins was born on April 18, 1914...
, Marine whose posthumous Medal of Honor was awarded on the same day as Power's.