World War II Honoree

John C. Marcincoska Marlin

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Murphysboro, Illinois

Honored By

Odelia B. Marlin

Relationship

wife

JOINED THE NAVAL AIR CORPS IN JUNE 1942 AND WAS A MEMBER OF CARRIER AIR GROUP VBF-83. FLEW F4U CORSAIRS FROM THE CARRIER USS ESSEX. PARTICIPATED IN THE OKINAWA CAMPAIGN AND ACTIONS AGAINST THE HOME ISLANDS. HIS CORSAIR WAS HIT BY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE ON MARCH 27, 1945 AND HE DITCHED OFF THE OKINAWA COAST. A KING FISHER FROM THE USS WASHINGTON FLOWN BY LIEUTENANT WILLIAM E. LEMOS AND HIS REAR SEAT MAN, HENRY G. OFFNEY, RESCUED MARLIN. HE SERVED ON THE WASHINGTON FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE BEING RETURNED TO THE ESSEX. DISCHARGED IN OCTOBER 1945 AS A LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 5 GOLD STARS AND THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH STAR.