Born: February 28, 1921
Died: July 2, 1997
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Sergeant
Decorations: Purple Heart
With Dog Company:
John Donahue was one of the original machine gunners with Dog Company, First Separate Battalion. By the time of their assignation as First Battalion, 24th Marines, he was a corporal and section leader in the First Machine Gun Platoon.
Corporal Donahue led his two guns into action on Namur. He survived unwounded, and was transferred to Able Company in March, 1944.
With Able Company:
John Donahue was promoted to sergeant and sent to Sergeant Frank Tucker as assistant section leader of the new machine gun platoon. He was one of the most senior NCOs of the platoon to survive Saipan, and helped lead the decimated platoon through Tinian. Sergeant Donahue was reassigned to the duty section in the fall of 1944; he fought on Iwo Jima, where he was wounded in action.
After the war, John Donahue returned to New Jersey and began a family of his own with his wife Maureen. Donahue died in 1997, and is buried in St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall Township, New Jersey.
Photo by Jo, FindAGrave.com volunteer