RAIDERS Gilligan, John Joseph, Jr.

Craig Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Gilligan
  • FORENAME
John Joseph, Jr.
  • UNIT
1st Raider Battalion
  • RANK
Private
  • NUMBER
351523
  • DATE OF DEATH
8th August 1942
  • AGE
19
  • GRAVESITE
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA. Section 12, Site 3091
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 17.06.1923, Newark, New Jersey, USA
08.01.1942 entered service
Next of kin - Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Gilligan, Sr., 361 Burnet Street, East Orange, New Jersey
DOW Tulagi, Solomon Islands
posthumous Silver Star
U.S.S. Gilligan named in honour
 

DATE OF DEATH:

08-Aug-1942

AWARD:

https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/gilligan-john-joseph-jr.58337/

CITATION:

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private John J. Gilligan, Jr. (MCSN: 351523), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the First Marine Raider Battalion during the attack against enemy Japanese forces on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. Realizing that his platoon leader was seriously wounded, Private Gilligan, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, rushed forward to his assistance, but was mortally wounded in the attempt. His heroic conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/36507

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49189257/john-j-gilligan

SERVICE HISTORY:

GILLIGAN, John J., Jr, Pvt 521/745 SN: 351523
Born: 17 Jun 1923 New Jersey
Enlisted: 08 Jan 1942 DHS Boston, MA (Home of Record: 361 Burnet Street, East Orange, NJ)
Died: 08 Aug 1942 (WIA 7 Aug 1942, Tulagi Island, British Solomon Islands)
Interred: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA (Section 12, Site 3091)

Headquarters, Eastern Recruiting Division, 1700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Jan 1942 Pvt, Hq, ERD, Phila., PA “8Jan42; 8, Jd enl at DHS New York, NY and tr to MB, Parris Island, S.C. same date”
11th Recruit Battalion, Recruit Depot, Marine Barracks, Parris Island, SC
Jan 1942 Pvt, 11thRecBn, RDep, MB, Parris Island, SC “8Jan42; 9, Jd enl at RS New York, NY; 31, trans to MB, Quantico, Va.”
Company G, The Training Center, Marine Barracks, Quantico, VA
Jan 1942 Pvt, Co G, TTC, MB, Quantico, VA “8Jan42; 31, jdfr 11thRecBn, RDep, MB, Parris Island, SC”

Company B, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, FMF, In the Field
Apr 1942 Pvt, Co B, 1stMarRdrBn, FMF, In the Field (Tutuila, Samoa) “1, entrained at MB, Quantico, Va.; 1-5, enroute; 6, arr & detrained at MCB, San Diego, Calif.; 6-11, at MCB, San Diego, Calif.; 12, emb on bd USS ZEILIN at San Diego, Calif.; 13, sailed; 14-27, passage; 28, arr at NS, Tutuila, Samoa”
Jul 1942 Pvt, Co B, 1stMarRdrBn, FMF, In the Field (Tutuila, Samoa & Noumea, New Caledonia) “1-4, at Tutuila, Samoa; 4, emb on bd USS HEYWOOD for trans from Tutuila, Samoa to Noumea, New Caledonia; 5-9, underway; 10, arr at Noumea, New Caledonia; 23, emb on bd USS COLHOUN for spl assignment and sailed same date.”
Aug 1942 Pvt, Co B, 1stMarRdrBn, 1stMarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Tulagi, British Solomon Is) “7, Wounded in Action; 8, Died of Wounds
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