Jack Dan McCormick
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 537324
August 26, 1925
in Lincoln, NE
Frank McCormick (d. 1938)
Nellie (Mulligan) McCormick
Lincoln High School
Details unknown
March 11, 1943
at Omaha, NE
August 26, 1943
from Camp Elliott
March 3, 1945
Killed in action on Iwo Jima
March 3, 1945
Killed in action
1726 N Street, Lincoln, NE – address of mother, Mrs. Nellie McCormick
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at MCRD San Diego with Eleventh Recruit Battalion. Outposted to Infantry Battalion, Camp Elliott for advanced infantry training in July, 1943.
Joined Baker Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton on 26 August 1943.
Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)
Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)
Important Events:
June 16, 1944 – wounded in action (shrapnel, left leg); evacuated to USS James O’Hara. Transferred to USS Relieft for treatment.
Did not participate in Tinian campaign due to wounds.
Transported to US Naval Hospital #10 at Aiea Heights for treatment. Returned to Baker Company, 24th Marines on 15 August 1944.
Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)
Important Events:
March 3, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel wounds, head); exact circumstances unknown
March 11, 1945 – buried in Plot 1, Row 28, Grave 1378, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star
Campaign
Saipan (June 16, 1944)
Iwo Jima (March 3, 1945)
Citation
I think McCormick was the BARman that Dad was with, whose head exploded, and he picked up the BAR and cleaned the brains out of the receiver. your Records point to this.
After some research, we feel that horrific event occurred on March 3rd, 1945. Records show that two Baker Company BARmen died that day. We think the Marine that was killed, and Dad took up his BAR was most likely PFC Jack Dan McCormick. Records indicate McCormick was killed by shrapnel to the head.
The other, less likely possibility for the BARman would be Private Clarence Vernon Postell, his wounds were not noted…