World War II Honoree

John Robert Colgan

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Iselin, New Jersey

Honored By

Mrs. Eleanor Palulis

Relationship

Friend

Served in the Marine Corps. Enlisted October 1,1942. Promoted to Private 1st Class on July 15,1943. Received sharpshooter (rifle) certification on November 20, 1942. Awarded Purple Heart for wounds received in action during the Marshall Islands campaign from January 31 through February 1944. Received a citation for excellent service in the line of duty while serving as a Browning Automatic Rifleman (BAR) during the invasion of Saipan from June 15 through July 9, 1944. Had initiative and devotion to duty and a willingness to battle for the complete destruction of the enemy. Received gold star in lieu of Purple Heart. The gold star is issued instead of a second Purple Heart by the President of the United States and by the direction of the Secretary of the Navy; the Gold Star is awarded by the commanding general of the U.S. Fleet Marine Force in the Pacific -- in his case, for wounds received as a result of enemy action in the Asiatic-Pacific area on July 29, 1944. In addition, he received the Honorable Service Lapel Button on January 31, 1945.