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Powell, John Chester

Date of birth:
October 14th, 1920 (New York/New York, United States)
Date of death:
October 17th, 1958 (Albuquerque/New Mexico, United States)
Service number:
USMC 310 015/US Army 11 175 842
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

John Chester Powell joined the United States Marine Corps on June 6, 1941. He served in the Philippines with the 1st Marine Division during World War II. He took an Honourable Discharge from the U.S.Marine Corps in July 1947. He re-enlisted in the United States Army in October 1947 as an Army 'MP' and served in this capacity in Europe and in the United States until he retired and was "Honourably' discharged on May 31,1958.

Promotions:

Jun.06, 1941 - Private (USMC)
Jan.25, 1946 - Corporal (USMC)

Oct. 03, 1947 - Private (US Army)
Nov. 22, 1951 - Corporal (US Army)
Aug. 17, 1954 - S/Sgt (US Army)

Career

Jun.06, 1941 - Enlisted USMC (Boston, Mass. - USA) (Co. 'C', 1st Batt., 7th Reg., 1st Div.)
Aug.07, 1942 - Machine Gun Crew (Gaudalcanal, Solomon Islands)
Dec.26, 1943 - Machine Gun Crew
(New Guinea, New Britain Island)
Sep.15, 1944 - Machine Gun Crew (Peleliu, Paulu Islands)
Apr,01, 1945 - Machine Gun Crew (Okinawa Island)
Sep.30, 1945 - Assist with Japanese Repatriation (Occupation of Northern China)
Jan.05, 1947 - USMC 7th Regiment leaves China
Jul.04, 1947 - Discharged (USMC) (Boston, Mass. - USA)
Oct.03, 1947 - Enlist in US Army as "MP" (Frankfurt, Germany) (540 Batt. Co. 'C')
Jun.26, 1948 - Assist with 'Berlin Airlift' (Berlin, Germany)
Oct.05, 1951 - Korean War Service (Korea)
May.01, 1954 - US Army "MP" (Sandia Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico - USA) (8457th Army Area Unit)
Dec.12, 1957 - US Army "MP" (Ft. Knox, Kentucky, - USA)
May.31, 1958 - Discharged (US Army) (Ft. Knox Kentucky, - USA)

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private
Unit:
Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division "The Old Breed", U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded for:
Operation Stalemate II
While serving as a Light Machine Gun Crewman, Marine Powell received wounds as a result of enemy fire on Sept 18, 1944 during the Peleliu Campaign in the Pacific (Sept 15-Nov 25, 1944) during WW II.
Purple Heart
"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu and Ngesebus from September 15 to 29, 1944. By their individual acts of heroism, their aggressiveness and their fortitude, the men of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

With Metal Pendant
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Second GCM received as bar.
Good Conduct Medal - Marine Corps
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 31st, 1958
Honorable Service Lapel Button / Honorable Discharge Emblem
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With three stars.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 5th, 1946
World War Two Victory Medal

Sources

  • Photo 1: Susan (Powell) Tatler
  • - Form NAVMC 78-PD - U.S. Marine Corps Report of Separation
    - Form A532405 - United States Marine Corps (Honorable) Discharge Slip
    - National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
    - National Personnel Records Center (USA), NAVPERS 1650/96 (Entitlement of Awards Form)

Photo