World War II Honoree

John Joseph Wantuck

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Elmira, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On January 6, 1942, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from New York. His boot camp training took place with the First Recruit Battalion, Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, South Carolina. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Served with the Ninth Defense Battalion in the Southwestern Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to a Special Weapons Group. His Battalion participated in the Battle of Munda against the Imperial Japanese Army forces (Battle Dates: July 2-August 5, 1943) in the New Georgia campaign, Code Name: Operation Cartwheel. Killed in action Wednesday, July 17, 1943 and buried in the U.S. Armed forces Cemetery, Finschaffen #5 on the island of New Guinea. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest February 9, 1949 at the Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, New York. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.