Joseph Knox Stankwytch

Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 984268

Born*

October 9, 1921
in Robeson, NC

Parents

Rev. Richard Andrew Stankwytch
Elgia Lee (Wall) Stankwytch (d. 1943)

School

Details unknown

Pre-War Employment

Shipyard worker
Newport News, VA

*Note: Joseph's date of birth is alternately given as 9 October 1921 (Index of births in Robeson County, NC), 10 October 1920 (USMC casualty records), 10 October 1919 (Selective Service registration), and 11 November 1924 (headstone application). The reason for the many discrepancies are not known.

Entered Service

June 23, 1944
at Raleigh, NC

Joined First Battalion

February 27, 1945
from 30th Replacement Draft

Left First Battalion

March 8, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima

Left Service

March 8, 1945
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

South Boston, VA – address of wife, Mrs. Margaret Frances (Wyrick) Stankwytch, and daughter Vicky Gwen Stankwytch.

Service & Campaigns

Before joining battalion

Boot camp at Parris Island; outposted to Seventh Training Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC. On 23 October 1944, transferred to 30th Replacement Draft for deployment overseas attached to Fourth Marine Division.

Joined Baker Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines as a battle replacement on Iwo Jima.

Iwo Jima

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private
MOS: 060 (Cook)
Important Events:
February 27, 1945 – joined from 30th Replacement Draft
March 8, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel wounds, right side); exact circumstances unknown
March 14, 1945 – buried in Plot 1, Row 34, Grave 1654, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery

Campaign Narrative