First Lieutenant John Vincent Power, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on February 1, 1944 at Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division. Power was 25 years old.
Power was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 30, 1944.
Power was born on November 20, 1918 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. He is buried at St. John's Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Power is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as platoon leader, attached to the 4th Marine Division, during the landing and battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1 February 1944. Severely wounded in the stomach while setting a demolition charge on a Japanese pillbox, 1st Lt. Power was steadfast in his determination to remain in action. Protecting his wound with his left hand and firing with his right, he courageously advanced as another hostile position was taken under attack, fiercely charging the opening made by the explosion and emptying his carbine into the pillbox. While attempting to reload and continue the attack, 1st Lt. Power was shot again in the stomach and head and collapsed in the doorway. His exceptional valor, fortitude and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of withering enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (February 1, 1944).
- Age at death: 25
- Resting place: St. John's Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, John Vincent Power received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- November 20, 1918Born in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
- February 1, 1944Act of valor — Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall IslandsAge 25. Company K, 3d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division Killed in action.
- August 30, 1944Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeSt. John's CemeteryWorcester, Massachusetts
Biography
John Vincent Power (November 20, 1918 – February 1, 1944) was a United States Marine Corps first lieutenant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Kwajalein in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “John V. Power”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Power — preserved watercraft, museum ship
