John Joseph Loughrey
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number O-22128
August 30, 1921
in Wynnewood, PA
Bernard Loughrey
Margaret (Johnston) Loughrey
High school details unknown
St. Joseph’s University
Details unknown
July 29, 1942 (enlisted)
at Philadelphia, PA
April 21, 1943 (commissioned)
at Quantico, VA
September 27, 1943
from C/1/25th Marines
July 29, 1944
Killed in action at Tinian
July 29, 1944
Killed in action
201 Grandview Avenue, Ardmore, PA – home of father, Mr. Bernard Loughrey
Service & Campaigns
Enlisted 29 July 1942; accepted on rolls of Platoon Leader’s Unit, Philadelphia.
Boot camp at Parris Island; Officer Candidate School with Company K 23rd Candidate’s Class, Quantico, VA. Commissioned as Second Lieutenant on 21 April 1943 and attended Reserve Officer’s School at Quantico.
To C/1/25th Marines on 29 July 1943 as company officer. Transferred to C/1/24th Marines on 27 September 1943.
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines (1 Platoon)
Rank: Second Lieutenant
MOS: 1542 (Platoon Leader)
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines (1 Platoon)
Rank: Second Lieutenant
MOS: 1542 (Platoon Leader)
Important Events:
July 8, 1944 – slightly wounded in action (cause not given), not evacuated
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines (1 Platoon)
Rank: Second Lieutenant
MOS: 1542 (Platoon Leader)
Important Events:
July 29, 1944 – killed in action (shrapnel, face) as his platoon attacked a Japanese strong point.
Awarded Silver Star Medal for actions culminating on this date:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, from 15 June to 9 July 11944; and on Tinian, Marianas Islands, from 24 to 29 July 1944. When in the face of Japanese artillery airbursts and mortar fire during the invasion and occupation of Saipan, the First and Second Battalions were sustaining heavy casualties, Second Lieutenant Loughrey directed his platoon in neutralizing these devastating points of resistance. Through his exceptional ability to employ his platoon and his effective use of grenades, rifles, machine-gun fire, and a flamethrower, he successfully completed the entire mission without loss to his personnel. While moving forward with his scouts to attack enemy emplacements on 29 July, during the Tinian operations, Second Lieutenant Loughrey was killed by Japanese fire. His valiant spirit of self-sacrifice and steadfast devotion to the accomplishment of a dangerous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star
Campaign
Tinian (July 29, 1944)
Saipan (July 8, 1944)
Tinian (July 29, 1944)
Citation
See above
Service Stories
July 2, 1944: Saipan
Just before darkness, one of the funniest moments of the engagement happened. Lt. [John J.] Loughrey, speaking to Gy. Sgt. [Harry H.] Perry of “C” Company instructed him, “Gunny, bring your C.P. up here for the night.” The Gunny, a 5’4″ Marine Corps Napoleon with a waxed handlebar mustache (he saved the wax from the outside of “K” ration boxes), protested, “but Lieutenant, there’s snipers up here and they’re shootin!”
“Aw, bring that goddam C.P. up anyhow,” growled Loughrey. Whereupon a spent bullet whacked into Perry’s helmet, knocking him down and stunning him slightly. Flat on his back, he turned to Loughrey with a dazed expression and said – “See what I mean bud, see what I mean; them snipers can shoot!”
– Frederic A. Stott
