John Waytow

Enlisted 22 August 1941 at Pittsburgh, PA; boot camp at Parris Island with First Recruit Battalion. Outposted to Telephone School, Post Signal Battalion, Quantico on 23 October 1941.

Qualified as switchboard operator; duty at Quantico telephone exchange through 31 October 1942.

Joined Headquarters Company, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) at New River on 12 December 1942.

Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines, communications platoon
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 542 (Comms Chief, telephone)

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines, communications platoon
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 641 (Telephone Lineman)
Important Events:
June 15, 1944 – after dark, volunteered to run a phone line between HQ and a line company with PFC Paul E. Miller. Found dead in the field three days later with head wounds caused by a rifle butt. Date of death determined to be June 16, 1944.

Awarded Bronze Star Medal for actions on this date:

For heroic achievement while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, the night of 15-16 June 1944. Unhesitatingly volunteering to lay a wire from an assault company to the battalion command post, Sergeant Waytow fearlessly advanced with a companion across an open area swept by withering, intense enemy small arms and artillery fire to establish vitally needed communications but was mortally wounded while carrying out his perilous mission. Sergeant Waytow’s daring initiative, his cool courage in the face of grave danger, and unwavering devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

June 22, 1944 – buried in Plot 3, Row 5, Grave 525, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery.

Campaign Narrative