Det 4, Headquarters 4th Marine Division: March 2021

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Mary Dunn Rest in Peace

Mary J. (Hughes) Dunn, Born into Eternal Life on March 28, 2021;Beloved wife, 38 happy years to James P. Dunn (Retired 1st Sgt USMC and Chicago P.D.); Loving mother of Jacqueline, Thomas (Tiffany), Michael, and James Jr.; Soon to be 1st time grandma of baby Dunn (Tom and Tiffany); Dear sister of Michael (Celeste), William (Cyndee), James (Linda), John (Joanne), and Susan.Dear Sister-in-Law to Debbie Doyle, Cathy Victor (Greg), Lynne Sebastian, Marybeth Browne, and Tom; Beloved daughter of the late James P. and Mary J. (nee Sales) Hughes; Aunt and Great Aunt to many nieces, and nephews;

Mary enjoyed traveling, bowling, estate sales, garage sales, and selling her treasures on eBay; Mary also enjoyed traveling to Minnesota to visit family, playing games, and a good day of fishing on the lake; Visitation Monday 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Curley Funeral Home, 6116 W. 111th Street, Chicago Ridge; Funeral Tuesday, family & friends will meet directly at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Church, 7740 S. Western Ave., Chicago; Mass 9:30 a.m.; Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery; For Funeral info (708) 422-2700, or www.curleyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family of Mary J. Dunn please visit our Tribute Store.

Some very sad news. Jim Dunn just called to let us know that his wife Mary just died. She was a lovely lady. We will let you know when we know about the arrangements.

And please let Jim know that we are thinking about him.

Semper Fi

Jim, I just read Craig's email regarding your dear best friend and wife, Mary. I know this is a sad time, but know that Barb and I are praying for you and family to get through the sadness and onto the best memories of Mary.

Barb and I loved Mary, and her sweet personality. You know that if there is anything you guys need just call and I'll be there or help in any way we can, for now, our prayers are with you, one day at a time Brother.

Love you guys,

Joe and Barb Brooks

________________

Jim and Family,

We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the passing of your dear Mary. She has certainly been taken from you and this world all too soon.

All of us always enjoyed Mary's company, lively conversations and bright smiles at our Det 4 Reunions.

If there is something we could do for you please do not hesitate to ask.

You and Mary are in our prayers.

Semper Fi,

Woz & Linda

Ron Wozniak LtCol USMCR (Retired)

Immediate Past President, MOAS

Cell: 941-779-5448

________________

Jim, so very sorry for your loss. Mary was a very nice person.

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Let us know if we can do anything.

Semper Fi

Beth and Craig Hullinger

_______________

Jim,

So very sorry to hear about Mary. May the Holy Spirit grant and magnify His comfort to you and family in this hour.

If there is anything that we can do please let us know.

Your friends

Steve and Janet Eddington

___________

Jim,

Joanne and I send our love and prayers during this time. Mary was a fun and loving person.

We will miss her. If you need anything give me a call.

Terry Sebold

Thursday, March 04, 2021

The Chicago Marines

This site includes information about Marines from Chicago Corps and information about Chicago Marine Corps Reserve Units. If you have information or photos you would like to share about Chicago Marines please email them to me at craighullinger@gmail.com

Semper Fi

Craig Hullinger

Marine

Marine Corps Connections in Chicago

Headquarters 4th Marine Division

https://det4.blogspot.com/

2/24 - Infantry Battalion

https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Major-Subordinate-Commands/4th-Marine-Division/23rd-Marine-Regiment/2nd-Battalion-24th-Marine-Regiment/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Battalion,_24th_Marines

Marine Air Control Group-48

https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Major-Subordinate-Commands/4th-Marine-Aircraft-Wing/Marine-Air-Control-Group-48/

Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron-48

https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Major-Subordinate-Commands/4th-Marine-Aircraft-Wing/Marine-Air-Control-Group-48/Marine-Tactical-Air-Command-Squadron-48/

Marine Wing Communications Squadron-48

http://mwcs.blogspot.com/

https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Major-Subordinate-Commands/4th-Marine-Aircraft-Wing/Marine-Air-Control-Group-48/Marine-Wing-Communications-Squadron-48/

Other Sites

Wednesday, March 03, 2021

Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy - Medal Of Honor

Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy (August 10, 1911 – June 15, 1996) was a mustang officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, who served during World War II and the Korean War. He was also the Superintendent of Ambulances in the Chicago Fire Department, however, with respect for his wartime heroics, firefighters continued to address him by his wartime military rank of "Captain."

Historian Bill D. Ross would write about him in 1985: "McCarthy was thirty three; overage for a company commander. He was Irish and he looked it: husky, red complexioned, pug nose. Superior officers sometimes found his manner abrasive, but unlike many Irishmen, he wasn't talkative. He was, in fact, laconic and tight-lipped. "I don't like malarkey or bullshit," the Chicagoan often said. But Joe McCarthy knew the uncompromising business of battle; he had the Silver Star for leading his company up a savagely contested hill on Saipan and his men called him "the best damned officer in the Marine Corps."

McCarthy first enlisted in the Marine Corps on February 20, 1937, in Chicago and served for four years. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he re-enlisted and returned to active duty in February 1942. In June of that year, he was discharged with the rank of first sergeant in order to accept a commission in the Marine Corps Reserve.

McCarthy joined the 4th Marine Division shortly thereafter, and went overseas in January 1944. While deployed, he took part in the Roi-Namur, Saipan-Tinian, and Iwo Jima campaigns. He was awarded the Silver Star for heroism as a rifle company commander on Saipan in 1944. He received the Purple Heart with Gold Star for wounds received in action on Saipan and Iwo Jima.

On Iwo Jima McCarthy was the company commander of G Co 2nd Battalion 24th Marines. He landed on yellow beach 2 alongside the 23rd Marines. On D plus 3 the 24th RCT relieved the 25th. His battalion moved and was supported by the blue beaches. On February 21, 1945, as a captain, he earned the Medal of Honor while leading an assault team across exposed ground to wipe out positions holding up the advance of his company at airfield No. 2. It is believed that a Seabee heavy weapons platoon provided the fire support he needed that day. (Fig. 1) President Harry S. Truman presented the Medal of Honor to McCarthy in ceremonies at the White House, held on October 5, 1945.

Released from active duty following the war, he continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve, eventually being promoted to the grade of lieutenant colonel.

"I would hope and pray there never be another Medal of Honor issued," he said in a 1992 interview. "I hope and pray there's never any more wars."

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

CAPTAIN JOSEPH J. McCARTHY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a rifle company attached to the 2nd Battalion 24th Marines|, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 21 February 1945. Determined to break through the enemy's cross-island defenses, Capt. McCarthy acted on his own initiative when his company advance was held up by uninterrupted Japanese rifle, machine gun, and high-velocity 47mm. fire during the approach to Motoyama Airfield No. 2. Quickly organizing a demolitions and flamethrower team to accompany his picked rifle squad, he fearlessly led the way across 75 yards of fire-swept ground, charged a heavily fortified pillbox on the ridge of the front and, personally hurling hand grenades into the emplacement as he directed the combined operations of his small assault group, completely destroyed the hostile installation. Spotting 2 Japanese soldiers attempting an escape from the shattered pillbox, he boldly stood upright in full view of the enemy and dispatched both troops before advancing to a second emplacement under greatly intensified fire and then blasted the strong fortifications with a well-planned demolitions attack. Subsequently entering the ruins, he found a Japanese taking aim at 1 of our men and, with alert presence of mind, jumped the enemy, disarmed and shot him with his own weapon. Then, intent on smashing through the narrow breach, he rallied the remainder of his company and pressed a full attack with furious aggressiveness until he had neutralized all resistance and captured the ridge. An inspiring leader and indomitable fighter, Capt. McCarthy consistently disregarded all personal danger during the fierce conflict and, by his brilliant professional skill, daring tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, contributed materially to the success of his division's operations against this savagely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His cool decision and outstanding valor reflect the highest credit upon Capt. McCarthy and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy (MCSN: 0-11098), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 4 July 1944. With his company in a defensive position and receiving intense and accurate enemy rifle and machine-gun fire, Captain McCarthy gallantly left cover to answer the cries of the wounded after two hospital corpsmen had been shot in quick succession while attempting to aid a wounded officer. Finding one of the men still alive, he attempted to remove him to safety despite the withering enemy fire, but during this endeavor the wounded man was shot through the head and died in Captain McCarthy's arms. His outstanding courage, unselfish efforts and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

After the War

In 1949 McCarthy drove from Maine to North Carolina visiting the families of 26 Marines that had been killed on Iwo Jima. He told each family that their man had been just as brave as he was, just not as lucky.

McCarthy was the Grand Marshal of the City of Chicago's Saint Patrick's Day Parade in 1959.

McCarthy retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1971 and from the Chicago Fire Department in 1973. Thereafter, he and his wife split their time between their homes in Wisconsin and Delray Beach, Florida. His wife, Anita, died in 1978. The couple had no children.

The building that houses the Headquarters of the 2nd Battalion 24th Marines in Chicago is named in his honor. Lt. Col. McCarthy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery following a funeral mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

The 4th Marine Division in World War II

Click to read the story:

https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/The%204th%20Marine%20Division%20in%20World%20War%20II%20%20PCN%2019000412800.pdf

Tuesday, March 02, 2021

The Citizen Marine - Mike Wenger

The new 2nd Edition of the The Citizen Marine is now available on Amazon!

The Citizen Marine is a story of the fragile balance between our service members’ love for family and their sense of duty. While running in the beautiful Tampa Bay area near the end of four years of Marine Corps retired recall duty a plane ascends from the nearby airport. Mike knew he’d soon be on one again himself. But, would he be going back home to his loving family for good, or would he be going back to the Middle East for yet another deployment?

His beautiful wife and best friend Terri was anxious for his return. They had already been apart more than five of their 15 years of marriage, but she supported him every step of the way. His mind drifts back through his 40 year career during his run to search his soul for an answer. The internal tug of war between his love for Terri and the sound of distant drums was tearing him apart.

Along the way there was love, joy, sacrifice, marriage, divorce, and loss of loved ones and friends. There was peace and there was war. There was contentment, and there was restlessness, but there was never a dull moment…

A must read for all active, reserve, retired, and veteran service members and their families and friends who have endured years of separations and multiple deployments. Whether it was World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, or the current War on Terrorism, we all share many of the same experiences far and away different from the average American citizen. The training, the travel, the duty, the loneliness, the camaraderie, the inferiority, the pride, the sadness, the elation, the depression, and the desire to make time go faster and sometimes slower.

Only one percent of America’s citizens have experienced it, and The Citizen Marine tells our story that many Americans would never otherwise understand. Blended in all this is some informative historical background on why we are in the Middle East and why our military families are called upon to serve so often.

Monday, March 01, 2021

15th Staff Group

4th MarDiv, HQ Det-4 was known as the 15th Staff Group prior to being designated as Det-4. This is a photo of most of the officers of that unit while still claiming the title of 15th Staff Group.

Photo taken at the Scholarship Ball, ca 2000.

L to R:

Al Jennings, behind him partial face Jim Weinlader
Bill Price, behind him partial face George Braun
Dick Stack
MGen Dean Sangalis
Gen James Jones (CMC)
Dar Pierce
Morgan Porter
Jerry Wolf
MGen Mitch Waters
Bob Neumann
Art Nardiello