John Howard Mooney, JrCorporalHMM-362, USS IWO JIMA, TASK FORCE 79, 7TH FLEET United States Marine Corps 13 September 1937 - 07 January 1967 Lakewood, California Panel 13E Line 123 |
| |
  
|
|
The database page for John Howard Mooney, Jr
REMEMBEREDCorporal John "Jack" Mooney, Jr.Photo from his son, John H. Mooney III. Semper Fidelis
George T. Curtis |
|
John Howard Mooney, Jr. was my grandfather. I just wanted to say that I am extremely proud to have a grandfather who was willing to die for his country. In my eyes he is a hero and I only wish I could've gotten the chance to know him. I will treasure and love him always and I am forever thankful that he was willing to fight for his country and protect the freedom of many Americans who do not deserve it.
From his granddaughter, |
|
John Howard Mooney, Jr was my husband's father. I find it so amazing the impact that this man's very short and courageous life has had on those he left behind. To see the message my daughter has left here is a testament to just how much his sacrifice meant to his grandchildren. His son, born John Howard Mooney III (now John H. Rosser as the result of adoption by his stepfather) joined the Marine Corps in 1983 to follow in his father's footsteps. During his tour he was able to locate his father's grave site in Long Beach, CA and end years of uncertainty as to where his father had been buried. Jack's sacrifice has been something that our entire family has been accutely aware of, and respected, since our children were small. When the traveling Vietnam Veteran's Memorial came to Lynchburg VA, our children went and laid a rose at his name. They have always been keenly aware of his sacrifice and very proud of him. I am very proud of them as I see them growing into young women who understand the sacrifice he made and share in his love of our country.
From his daughter-in-law, |
Notes from The Virtual WallCorporal John H. Mooney was a finance clerk assigned to the MAG-15 disbursing section. When HMM-362 went aboard USS IWO JIMA to support the afloat landing force, Cpl Mooney was attached to the squadron. He managed to arrange for another crewman to surrender his "flight skins" (flight pay) to open a slot so that he, Mooney, could fly as aircrew.On 07 Jan 67 H-34 BuNo 147192 was conducting support flights between USS IWO JIMA and bases ashore. During one stop on IWO JIMA, the gunner got off the aircraft to eat and Cpl Mooney replaced him. The aircraft then departed ship for Landing Zone DUCK where they were to pick up a load of Marines. While the Marines were embarking a hand grenade came loose and exploded, killing Corporal John H. Mooney and Pvt Donald F. Rhodes, of Raleigh, NC, and wounding four other Marines. An H-46 picked up the dead and wounded and evacuated them to the IWO JIMA, while a separate aircrew flew the badly damaged H-34 back to the ship. That night, the perimeter at LZ DUCK was probed by the VC, with one Marine killed in the action - Lance Corporal John James Murphy, Charlie 1/9 Marines, from Philadelphia, PA.
From the |
|
Top of Page
 www.VirtualWall.org Back to |
With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 24 Jan 2003
Last updated 08/10/2009