Jack Willard Fansler
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number O-41840
March 29, 1923
in Altona, IL
Carroll Fleming Fansler
Mary Ann (White) Fansler (d. 1934)
Altona High School (1941)
Macomb State Teachers’ College
College student
October 26, 1942 (enlisted)
September 30, 1944 (commissioned)
December 6, 1944
from 24th Replacement Draft
March 8, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima
March 8, 1945
Killed in action
Altona, IL – home of father, Mr. Carroll Fansler
Jack Fansler lived with Andrew & Myrtle McClure, 411 West Division Street, Galva, Illinois, following the death of his mother.
Service & Campaigns
Enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at St. Louis, MO, on 26 October 1942; placed on inactive duty with Platoon Leader’s Unit, Ninth Reserve District. Called to active duty on 1 July 1943 and assigned to Marine Detachment, Navy V-12 Unit, Western Michigan College of Education, Kalamazoo, MI. With V-12 through spring 1944.
Boot camp at Parris Island with Twelfth Recruit Battalion; outposted to Special Officer Candidates’ School (SOCS) at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Commissioned second lieutenant at Camp Lejeune on 30 September 1944, and assigned to the 24th Replacement Draft for transit overseas attached to the Fourth Marine Division.
Joined Charlie Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines as platoon leader on 6 December 1944.
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Second Lieutenant
MOS: 1542 (Platoon Leader)
Important Events:
March 8, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel wounds, multiple); exact details unknown.
March 13, 1945 – buried in Plot 1, Row 33, Grave 1627, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery.
Awarded posthumous Bronze Star Medal.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Campaign
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima (March 8, 1945)
Citation
(Needed)
He was in a very jovial spirit and quite optimistic about the outcome. His sergeants were gathered around him, and all were having quite a discussion about various subjects. His spirit was excellent and I am sure it was a dominating factor and an inspiration to his men for their excellent attitude. He also was not afraid and would lead his men anyplace.
The next day, his platoon returned to the line and helped to push the Japs back farther than we had been able to do in the preceding three days. It seems they were losing ground so rapidly our enemy laid down a mortar barrage which caused the death of Jack and two of his sergeants.
His body was laid to rest in the Fourth Marine Division cemetery with full military honors and the rites of his church. The two sergeants rest nearby.
I saw his stone at Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Not forgotten.
Semper FI
I placed a Lei on his grave at Punchbowl today. Said his name and said a prayer. I have a picture if there is a way to post it.