This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Cpl Richard Campfield (gyrene79)
to remember
Marine 1stLt John James Knight, Jr..
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Contact Info
Last Address P. O. Box No. 1852 Phoenix, Ariz
MIA Date Jan 14, 1944
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Papua New Guinea
Location of Memorial Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
VMF-215 departed the United States on February 23, 1943, and was first sent to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii. During their time at MCAS Ewa they again transitioned aircraft, this time receiving the F4U Corsair. The squadron departed Hawaii on May 12 for Midway Atoll where they stayed for two months flying combat air patrols and escorting Allied shipping in the area. In mid-June 1942 they left Midway for the South Pacific. VMF-215 arrived on Espiritu Santo on July 1, 1943 and by the end of the month was taking part in fighter sweeps against Japanese bases in the northern Solomon Islands. On August 14, an F4U Corsair from VMF-215 was the first plane to arrive at the newly captured Munda airfield where they immediately began operating to cover the landings on Vella Lavella. Shortly thereafter the squadron pulled back to the rear for rest and relaxation. The squadronâ??s second combat tour began while they were based at Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella. From there they covered the landings at Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville, which began on November 1, 1943.
KNIGHT, John J Jr, 1STLT, O-024932, USMC, from Idaho, location New Britain Island, date of loss January 14, 1944 + KNIGHT, John J., Jr., 1st Lt., USMCR. Mother, Mrs. Josephine E. Knight, P. O. Box No. 1852, Phoenix, Ariz + KNIGHT, John James, First Lieutenant, O-024932, USMC, from Arizona, Manila American Cemetery + KNIGHT, John James, Jr, 24932, POW & MPDet, HQ USMC, Washington DC, January 15, 1946, missing-killed in action
