World War II Honoree

John Erwin Winnekins

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps March 1, 1943 and received his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Served in the Pacific Theater of operations and experienced combat as a Rifleman, assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, a subordinate unit of the Fourth Marine ‘the Fighting Fourth’ Division. He participated in the amphibious assault on the Island of Saipan (Battle Dates: June 15-July 9, 1944) Mariana Islands Campaign. Killed in action Wednesday June 14, 1944 and buried in the Second and Fourth Marine Division Battlefield Cemetery on Saipan. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were returned to his family, with interment in the Allouez Catholic Cemetery in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His name has been etched on one of the Twenty-Six granite plates ‘Remembrance of the Brave’ located in the Court of Honor at the American Memorial on Saipan. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.