WWII Photos:
John Waytow

After five years in the coal mines of western Pennsylvania, John Waytow was ready for a change. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941 and began a new career as a communications specialist. Waytow’s training took him from Quantico to New River to Camp Pendleton; he became a wire section chief with HQ/1/24th Marines.

Sergeant Waytow was killed in action on Saipan while attempting to repair a broken telephone line under fire. He received a posthumous Bronze Star for valor.

All photos courtesy of Janice Hicks.

A civilian John Waytow, right, before enlisting.

Waytow (left) with a buddy at Parris Island, 1941.

PFC Waytow stands at attention, 1942.

Frankie, Johnny Russian, and myself. You noticed I banged ears with our cook, Johnny. He was a swell egg. Fed me any time I was hungry. – JW

PFC Waytow, c. December 1942.

A chilly day at New River, 1 January 1943.

Waytow was assigned to the short-lived First Separate Battalion at New River – the unit would eventually become the First Battalion, 24th Marines

Camp Pendleton, California – 1943

Corporal Waytow at Camp Pendleton, 24 April 1943.

Relaxing on the range, Camp Pendleton, 24 April 1943.

Frankie Schnell at Camp Pendleton, 24 April 1943.

Corporal Waytow in the field at Camp Pendleton.

Waytow (left) in a foxhole during field exercises at Camp Pendleton, 1943.

"July 11, 1943 – Camp Pendleton, out in the boondocks."
Identifications by John Waytow

Waytow all spruced up for liberty, 25 April 1943.

Abe Lehrman, Frankie Schell, Joe Kelly, John Morrison, and Corporal Waytow outside their barracks at Camp Pendleton.

John Waytow, 20 May 1943.

Waytow at the barracks, June 1943.

Frankie Schnell, Joe Saggus, and John Waytow, June 1943.

"Evening chow formation, August 11 1943."

Sergeant Waytow and PFC Paul E. Miller were killed in action on the night of 15-16 June 1944.

The two Marines volunteered to run a telephone line from one of the rifle companies to the battalion command post on their first night ashore on Saipan. They ventured into an area “swept by withering, intense enemy small arms and artillery fire to establish vitally needed communications.” Neither Marine returned.

Paul Miller’s body was found the next morning, riddled with shrapnel. John Waytow was not discovered until 18 June. A casualty report indicated that he died of head wounds caused by a rifle butt – meaning he likely ran into a Japanese infiltrator in the darkness.

On 22 June, Miller and Waytow were buried side by side in Plot 3, Row 5 of the Fourth Marine Division Cemetery – Miller in Grave 524, Waytow in Grave 525. Both men were awarded posthumous Bronze Star medals for valor.