Marine Corps Reserve PFC John Paul Langan, 18, killed in World War II, was finally returned to his family and, on Sept. 29, 2021, laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Born January 30, 1925, in Platte Center, Nebraska, John was the 6th of eight children blessed to the union of Edward David and Mary (nee Kamm) Langan. Tragedy struck Jack's life early. His dear mother died February 12, 1936, and a oldest sister, Martha (Mrs Edward Rogan), died February 14, 1940.
Jack attended St. Joseph's High School in Platte Center, Nebraska. On November 26, 1942, the 70-1/2", 156 lb, blue-eyed brunette walked into a Des Moines-area Marine Corps recruiting station and enlisted in the Reserves. He received his training at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, and left the west coast in February, 1943, for combat duty in the South Pacific.
Their first stop was Wellington, where Jack and the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of New Zealand. There, they were also introduced to the veterans of the "Battle of Guadalcanal". The survivors of the campaign were on R&R while many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Jack and his unit, coming fresh from the United States, would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, the veterans explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Langan was with his brothers in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (C-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 22, 1943 (D+2 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Jack - just 18 years old - perished. He went ashore and landed safely. At noon, he answered the call for a volunteer to carry water to a group of his trapped comrades. While performing this heroic duty, he was fired on by a machine gun, and died instantly. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
Memorial services were held for Private First Class John P. Langan, United States Marine Corps, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus in January, 1944, with Reverend John Joseph Brogger, O.F.M., pastor, celebrant at the Requiem Mass, and Hartman Post No. 84 of the American Legion, in charge of the military rite.
For his service and sacrifice, Jack's father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were Jack's five brothers, three of whom served in World War II. They were: Apprentice Seaman Arnold Langan, who was stationed at Farragut, Idaho; Private First Class Harvey Langan, who was also with the United States Marine Corps, stationed for a time in San Diego, California; Seaman First Class Alvin Langan, who served overseas; and Donald Langan. His sister, Dolores (Mrs Terence Lachnit) of Columbus, Nebraska.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Langan's remains were not recovered. On October 7, 1949, a military review board declared Jack "non-recoverable".
On January 22, 2014, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Langan and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Jack's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his brother Don and his nephew - and namesake - the opportunity to provide the Family Reference DNA Sample ultimately necessary for his identification.
On July 7, 2020, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Langan, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines. To identify his remains, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Additionally, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Jack was finally returned to his family and, on Sept. 29, 2021, laid to rest next to his mother and two siblings with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve Private First Class John Paul Langan is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Langan's name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed on the monument next to Jack's name to verify that he has finally been found (56122854).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
"History of Platte County" by M. Curry
DPAA Release No: 20-092 July 15, 2020
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Born January 30, 1925, in Platte Center, Nebraska, John was the 6th of eight children blessed to the union of Edward David and Mary (nee Kamm) Langan. Tragedy struck Jack's life early. His dear mother died February 12, 1936, and a oldest sister, Martha (Mrs Edward Rogan), died February 14, 1940.
Jack attended St. Joseph's High School in Platte Center, Nebraska. On November 26, 1942, the 70-1/2", 156 lb, blue-eyed brunette walked into a Des Moines-area Marine Corps recruiting station and enlisted in the Reserves. He received his training at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, and left the west coast in February, 1943, for combat duty in the South Pacific.
Their first stop was Wellington, where Jack and the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of New Zealand. There, they were also introduced to the veterans of the "Battle of Guadalcanal". The survivors of the campaign were on R&R while many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Jack and his unit, coming fresh from the United States, would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, the veterans explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Langan was with his brothers in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (C-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 22, 1943 (D+2 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Jack - just 18 years old - perished. He went ashore and landed safely. At noon, he answered the call for a volunteer to carry water to a group of his trapped comrades. While performing this heroic duty, he was fired on by a machine gun, and died instantly. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
Memorial services were held for Private First Class John P. Langan, United States Marine Corps, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus in January, 1944, with Reverend John Joseph Brogger, O.F.M., pastor, celebrant at the Requiem Mass, and Hartman Post No. 84 of the American Legion, in charge of the military rite.
For his service and sacrifice, Jack's father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were Jack's five brothers, three of whom served in World War II. They were: Apprentice Seaman Arnold Langan, who was stationed at Farragut, Idaho; Private First Class Harvey Langan, who was also with the United States Marine Corps, stationed for a time in San Diego, California; Seaman First Class Alvin Langan, who served overseas; and Donald Langan. His sister, Dolores (Mrs Terence Lachnit) of Columbus, Nebraska.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Langan's remains were not recovered. On October 7, 1949, a military review board declared Jack "non-recoverable".
On January 22, 2014, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Langan and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Jack's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his brother Don and his nephew - and namesake - the opportunity to provide the Family Reference DNA Sample ultimately necessary for his identification.
On July 7, 2020, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Langan, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines. To identify his remains, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Additionally, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Jack was finally returned to his family and, on Sept. 29, 2021, laid to rest next to his mother and two siblings with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve Private First Class John Paul Langan is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Langan's name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed on the monument next to Jack's name to verify that he has finally been found (56122854).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
"History of Platte County" by M. Curry
DPAA Release No: 20-092 July 15, 2020
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Marine Corps Reserve PFC John Paul Langan, 18, killed in World War II, was finally returned to his family and, on Sept. 29, 2021, laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Born January 30, 1925, in Platte Center, Nebraska, John was the 6th of eight children blessed to the union of Edward David and Mary (nee Kamm) Langan. Tragedy struck Jack's life early. His dear mother died February 12, 1936, and a oldest sister, Martha (Mrs Edward Rogan), died February 14, 1940.
Jack attended St. Joseph's High School in Platte Center, Nebraska. On November 26, 1942, the 70-1/2", 156 lb, blue-eyed brunette walked into a Des Moines-area Marine Corps recruiting station and enlisted in the Reserves. He received his training at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, and left the west coast in February, 1943, for combat duty in the South Pacific.
Their first stop was Wellington, where Jack and the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of New Zealand. There, they were also introduced to the veterans of the "Battle of Guadalcanal". The survivors of the campaign were on R&R while many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Jack and his unit, coming fresh from the United States, would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, the veterans explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Langan was with his brothers in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (C-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 22, 1943 (D+2 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Jack - just 18 years old - perished. He went ashore and landed safely. At noon, he answered the call for a volunteer to carry water to a group of his trapped comrades. While performing this heroic duty, he was fired on by a machine gun, and died instantly. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
Memorial services were held for Private First Class John P. Langan, United States Marine Corps, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus in January, 1944, with Reverend John Joseph Brogger, O.F.M., pastor, celebrant at the Requiem Mass, and Hartman Post No. 84 of the American Legion, in charge of the military rite.
For his service and sacrifice, Jack's father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were Jack's five brothers, three of whom served in World War II. They were: Apprentice Seaman Arnold Langan, who was stationed at Farragut, Idaho; Private First Class Harvey Langan, who was also with the United States Marine Corps, stationed for a time in San Diego, California; Seaman First Class Alvin Langan, who served overseas; and Donald Langan. His sister, Dolores (Mrs Terence Lachnit) of Columbus, Nebraska.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Langan's remains were not recovered. On October 7, 1949, a military review board declared Jack "non-recoverable".
On January 22, 2014, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Langan and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Jack's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his brother Don and his nephew - and namesake - the opportunity to provide the Family Reference DNA Sample ultimately necessary for his identification.
On July 7, 2020, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Langan, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines. To identify his remains, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Additionally, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Jack was finally returned to his family and, on Sept. 29, 2021, laid to rest next to his mother and two siblings with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve Private First Class John Paul Langan is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Langan's name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed on the monument next to Jack's name to verify that he has finally been found (56122854).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
"History of Platte County" by M. Curry
DPAA Release No: 20-092 July 15, 2020
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Born January 30, 1925, in Platte Center, Nebraska, John was the 6th of eight children blessed to the union of Edward David and Mary (nee Kamm) Langan. Tragedy struck Jack's life early. His dear mother died February 12, 1936, and a oldest sister, Martha (Mrs Edward Rogan), died February 14, 1940.
Jack attended St. Joseph's High School in Platte Center, Nebraska. On November 26, 1942, the 70-1/2", 156 lb, blue-eyed brunette walked into a Des Moines-area Marine Corps recruiting station and enlisted in the Reserves. He received his training at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, and left the west coast in February, 1943, for combat duty in the South Pacific.
Their first stop was Wellington, where Jack and the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of New Zealand. There, they were also introduced to the veterans of the "Battle of Guadalcanal". The survivors of the campaign were on R&R while many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Jack and his unit, coming fresh from the United States, would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, the veterans explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Langan was with his brothers in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (C-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 22, 1943 (D+2 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Jack - just 18 years old - perished. He went ashore and landed safely. At noon, he answered the call for a volunteer to carry water to a group of his trapped comrades. While performing this heroic duty, he was fired on by a machine gun, and died instantly. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
Memorial services were held for Private First Class John P. Langan, United States Marine Corps, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus in January, 1944, with Reverend John Joseph Brogger, O.F.M., pastor, celebrant at the Requiem Mass, and Hartman Post No. 84 of the American Legion, in charge of the military rite.
For his service and sacrifice, Jack's father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were Jack's five brothers, three of whom served in World War II. They were: Apprentice Seaman Arnold Langan, who was stationed at Farragut, Idaho; Private First Class Harvey Langan, who was also with the United States Marine Corps, stationed for a time in San Diego, California; Seaman First Class Alvin Langan, who served overseas; and Donald Langan. His sister, Dolores (Mrs Terence Lachnit) of Columbus, Nebraska.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Langan's remains were not recovered. On October 7, 1949, a military review board declared Jack "non-recoverable".
On January 22, 2014, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Langan and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Jack's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his brother Don and his nephew - and namesake - the opportunity to provide the Family Reference DNA Sample ultimately necessary for his identification.
On July 7, 2020, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Langan, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines. To identify his remains, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Additionally, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Jack was finally returned to his family and, on Sept. 29, 2021, laid to rest next to his mother and two siblings with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve Private First Class John Paul Langan is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Langan's name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed on the monument next to Jack's name to verify that he has finally been found (56122854).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
"History of Platte County" by M. Curry
DPAA Release No: 20-092 July 15, 2020
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
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