Born: August 25, 1918
Died: January 18, 2000
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Corporal
Decorations: Purple Heart
With Dog Company:
Sergeant John Ford, a pre-war Marine from Indiana, was one of the original NCOs attached to Dog Company, 24th Marines. He served with the 81mm mortar platoon as a field wiring chief. Following a lengthy unauthorized absence in December, 1944, Ford was placed under the scrutiny of Captain George Webster; although he served well during the battle of Namur, Ford's record would follow him to his new assignment with the Battalion Headquarters company.
With HQ Company:
Corporal Ford - the reduction in rank seems a likely (if unusually delayed) reaction to Ford's trip over the hill - became the switchboard operator for the communications platoon of Battalion Headquarters. His record during the battles of Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima was spotless; he was wounded and evacuated from Iwo on March 4, 1945. Ford was hospitalized in April, and never returned to combat. He was honorably discharged on November 18, 1946.
Photo from the World War II Memorial Registry.
After the war, John Ford married and raised a family before settling in Phoenix, Arizona. He died in 2000, and is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Section 18e, Site 122.