World War II Honoree

John D. Wayne

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Lower Heidelberg Twp., Pennsylvania

Honored By

A Grateful American

SERVED WITH THE FOURTH MARINE DIVISION AS A CORPORAL. HE ASSISTED IN LIBERATING THE ISLANDS OF ROI-NAMUR, SAIPAN, TINIAN AND IWO JIMA. RECIPIENT OF A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN COMBAT DURING THE SEIZURE OF THE JAPANESE HELD ISLANDS OF SAIPAN, TINIAN AND THE MARIANA ISLANDS FROM JUNE 15 TO AUGUST 1, 1944, AND FOR VALIANTLY STORMING THE MIGHTY FORTIFICATIONS OF SAIPAN ON JUNE 15. THE FOURTH DIVISION, DESPITE HEAVY CASUALTIES AND BITTER OPPOSITION, CRUSHED ALL RESISTANCE IN THEIR ZONE OF ACTION. AFTER A BRIEF REST TO RE-EQUIP THE FOURTH MARINE DIVISION EXPANDED THE BEACHHEADS FOR THE CONTINUED LANDING OF TROOPS SUPPLIES AND ARTILLERY IN TINIAN. HE WAS WOUNDED THREE TIMES RECEIVING THE PURPLE HEART AND GOLD STAR MEDALS.