The Battle for Iwo Jima is legendary in Marine Corps history. It was one of the hardest fought battles of WWII in the Pacific Theater. One of those Marines who fought there was John Moon. Mr. Moon passed away on October 29, 2019. Until then, he was the oldest Marine alive who fought in that epic battle and survived.
Moon, like most of those courageous men who fought in WWII, was a just a guy from small town America. He was born and raised in Macomb, IL. He graduated from high school there and went on to Western Illinois University. He was married and was working at the Caterpillar Tractor Co. when, during WWII, he decided to join the United States Marine Corps in 1943.
Moon would be assigned to the 5th Marine Division and would be part of the Marine Corps landings at Iwo Jima. He went ashore on February 19, 1945 and fought with his Marine brothers against a dug in and determined Japanese enemy.
He fought until he was wounded and was medivaced out of the battle.
After the war, he went back to his hometown and opened a cafe, then a candy shop that he ran for over 20 years. He ended his working career as a Drivers Ed teacher at the local Macomb High School.
We honor you, John Moon.