John Michael Rutter
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 410839
May 20, 1922
in Philadelphia, PA
John Hartley Rutter
Catherine Irene (Walls) Rutter
Northeast Catholic High School (1942)
Details unknown
June 9, 1942
at Philadelphia, PA
September 20, 1944
from Fourth Pioneer Battalion
March 3, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima
March 3, 1945
Killed in action
2847 N. Darien Street, Philadelphia, PA – address of parents, John & Katherine Rutter
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at Parris Island with Fourth Separate Recruit Battalion; outposted to Fox Company, Second Battalion (Pioneers), 19th Marines on 4 October 1942. Transferred to Fox Company, Second Battalion (Pioneers), 20th Marines in early 1943.
Participated in the battles of Roi-Namur, Saipan, and Tinian as a Private, Machine Gunner (MOS 604). Rutter was slightly wounded in action at Saipan on 6 July 1944 (exact cause unknown) and evacuated to a field hospital. Returned to duty 20 July 1944.
Battalion disbanded September 1944; joined Baker Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Maui on 20 September 1944. On 1 November 1944, volunteered for new Assault & Demoltions Platoon with HQ Company.
Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines (Assault & Demolitions Platoon)
Rank: Private
MOS: 746 (BARman)
Important Events:
March 3, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel wound, chest). According to unconfirmed sources, Rutter was hit by a sniper after sealing two caves with explosives, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously.
March 9, 1945 – buried in Plot 1, Row 26, Grave 1274, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star
Campaign
Iwo Jima
Saipan (June 6, 1944)
Iwo Jima (March 3, 1945)
Citation
Full citation needed