HOGAN, John Kevin, Col. 1918-1981

HOGAN, OKEEFE, KINSELLA, BOETTNER, HEINTZ

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 3/11/2014 at 21:36:20

[Waterloo Courier, Tuesday, June 23, 1981]

Services for John K. Hogan, 63, of Hartford, Conn., formerly of Waterloo, were Tuesday. Burial was in Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery with full military honors.

Mr. Hogan, retired from the U.S. Marine Corps with the rank of colonel, died Saturday at East Hampton, Conn.

He was born June 10, 1918, at Dubuque, son of William P. and Marjorie E. O'Keefe Hogan. He married Catherine Scott Kinsella July 10, 1944, at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

He was a graduate of Loras College in Dubuque and had completed three years of medical school at University of Iowa when he enlisted as a private in the U.S. Marine Corps in September 1941. During World War II, he took part in the invasion of Leyte and the battle of Iwo Jima. He was one of eight survivors of a rifle company that suffered 337 casualties. He was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest combat award given to military personnel.

He later won a Bronze Star and Gold Star in the Korean War. Following other promotions, he became a full colonei in 1963. He
retired in 1965 after 24 years of service and had been an employee of the state of Connecticut since 1966.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, John S. of New Britain, Conn., and Sean O. of East Hampton, Conn.; a daughter, Dorothea E. of East Haddam, Conn.; his mother, Mrs. William Hogan of Bellingham, Wash.; two sisters, Mrs. D.H. Boettner of Bellingham and Mrs. J.W. Heintz of Inverness, III.; and one granddaughter.

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[Military Times}

John K. Hogan
Place of Birth: Iowa, Dubuque
Home of record: Waterloo Iowa

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John K. Hogan (MCSN: 0-10731), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 19 February to 23 March 1945. Upon learning that the Company Commander of the unit next to his was wounded, leaving the company in a precarious position with no one remaining competent to take over the command, Captain Hogan first ascertained that his own lines were intact and, after giving all necessary orders to his own Platoon Leaders, proceeded through heavy mortar and rifle fire to the adjacent company command post where he effected its reorganization making it a tactical unit once again. By thus assisting the disorganized unit, he prevented a break in the lines which would have forced the withdrawal of the entire Battalion. When his company was engaged in heavy fighting on 19 March, Captain Hogan ordered his runner to remain in the command post and proceeded alone to the front lines. Making his way form man to man despite heavy rifle and machine gun fire, he placed them in the best available positions and, setting the example by his own courage, led them forward in the assault. His tactical skill and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 50939
Action Date: February 19 - March 23, 1945
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Captain
Company: Company A
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Regiment: 27th Marines
Division: 5th Marine Division

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