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World War II Honor Roll

John Trumpy Strandwitz

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marines

110994

1st Marine Division

Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: August 29, 1942
Buried at: Locustwood Cemetery
                  Route 70 & Copper Landing Road
                  Cherry Hill NJ
Awards: Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Medal

The
Navy and Marine Corps Medal

SECOND LIEUTENANT JOHN T. STRANDWITZ was born in April 23, 1918 to William J. Strandwitz Sr. and his wife Dorothy of Haddonfield NJ. His father immigrated from Norway in 1893 and was successful businessman in his day, owning a sheet metal factory and being very involved in public projects in Camden County. John T. Strandwitz was the fifth child, sister Margaret and brothers William, Norman, and Robert preceding him. In 1930 the family lived at 325 Hawthorne Avenue in Haddonfield.

Lieutenant John T. Strandwitz was killed in the defense of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, August 29, 1942, when, while fighting a fire and securing ammunition in a burning ammunition dump, he was struck by a fragment from and exploded shell. He was survived by his parents, William and Dorothy Strandwitz of 18 Gilmore Avenue, Merchantville NJ, and his siblings. On January 13, 1944 he was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.  After the war, he was brought home to New Jersey. He was buried on June 5, 1948 at Locustwood Memorial Park in what is now Cherry Hill NJ, where he rests near many of his family members 
Camden Courier-Post * September 24, 142

Camden Evening Courier
January 13, 1944

LT. J.T. STRANDWITZ IS HONORED IN DEATH
Posthumous Award Given for Bravery in Fighting Munitions Fire

Washington, January 13, 1944- Second Lieutenant John T. Strandwitz, of Merchantville, who lost his life while fighting a fire in an ammunition dump on Guadalcanal, has been posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, it was announced today.

Lieutenant Strandwitz, son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Strandwitz of 18 Gilmore Avenue, Merchantville, was wounded mortally when he was struck by an exploded shell fragment while fighting the fire. He had volunteered with a detail of nine men to extinguish the blaze which recurred as a result of an enemy air raid on Guadalcanal, August 29, 1942.

Lieutenant Strandwitz was commissioned May 1, 1942.

The citation which accompanied his award follows:

For heroic conduct while attached to the First Special Weapons battalion, First Marine Division, on the occasion of a fire in the area of the First Marine ammunition dump as a direct result of a Japanese bombing raid on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, August 29, 1942.

Volunteering with a detail of nine men, Second Lieutenant Strandwitz proceeded to the burning dump and courageously led his group in beating out the spreading flames, breaking down stacked boxes of ammunition and carrying them to safety. While encouraging his men in the performance of this extremely hazardous task, Second Lieutenant Strandwitz was struck by an exploded shell fragment. His personal valor and inspiring leadership in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Camden Courier-Post * June 5, 1948

John Strandwitz

BRANCH OF SERVICE
U.S. Marine Corps

HOMETOWN
Haddonfield, NJ

HONORED BY
Ms. Linda Strandwitz Dempsey, Niece 

 
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
KILLED AT GUADALCANAL, HENDERSON FIELD ON AUGUST 8, 1942 

 

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Navy and Marine Corps Medal

 Establishing Authority

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 702, 77th Congress), approved August 7, 1942.

Effective Dates

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal has been in effect since December 6, 1941, with a provision for converting earlier letters of commendation (which must be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Criteria

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. For acts of lifesaving, or attempted lifesaving, it is required that the action be performed at the risk of one's own life.

Order of Precedence

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is worn after the Distinguished Flying Cross and before the Bronze Star Medal.

Devices

Additional awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal are denoted by gold stars five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter.

Designer

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal was designed by Lieutenant Commander McClelland Barclay and sculpted by John R. Sinnock(of the Philadelphia Mint). The ribbon was designed by M.A. Crawford.

First Recipient

The first person to receive the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is not known.

Description and Symbolism

Obverse

In the center of a bronze octagon one and a quarter inches wide, an eagle facing to its right, its upraised wings truncated by the edge of the medal. The eagle is perched upon a fouled anchor with the flukes beneath the eagle's right wing. Beneath the anchor is a globe. The inscription, HEROISM appears in raised letters at the base of the medal. The shape of the medal and the central theme of an eagle with displayed wings were suggested by the Soldier's Medal (the Army's counterpart decoration which was established sixteen years earlier). The anchor represents naval service, and the globe is from the Marine Corps insignia and represents that service. The inscription denotes the category of service for which the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is awarded.

Reverse The reverse of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is blank, that space being used for inscribing the recipient's name.

Ribbon


The ribbon to the Navy and Marine Corps Medal consists of three equal stripes of Navy blue, old gold, and scarlet, in that order. The blue and gold are the Navy's colors and the scarlet and gold are the colors of the Marine Corps.