Obits
Merillat: Early PA officer dies at 94
Herb Merillat wrote two books about the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Obits
Schultze: life member and supporter passes
Ed Schultze, 88, of LaMesa, CA. was a Life Member of the Association and one of its strongest supporters. A veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, was one of the few members of our field to rise to and hold the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He retired after 29 years of distinguished service. He was preceded in death by his wife Ellie who he proposed to in Grand Central Station, New York.
Obits
Fields: Col Tom Fields passes after a long illness
Upon graduation in 1942, Fields entered the Marine Corps officer training school and was soon in actual combat in a parachute battalion. He was in the last stages of combat on Guadalcanal before seeing combat at Vella Lavella and Bouganville. After Bouganville his parachute battalion was split up and Fields became a rifle company commander.
Obits
DiBernardo: Past president Jim DiBernardo dies
James entered the US Marine Corps, proudly serving for 30 years. He began his career in the Marines as enlisted personal, but was able to obtain the officer’s rank of Major through hard work, dedication and sacrifice. His achievements include the Bronze Star Medal, Three Purple Hearts, Two Navy Commendations, and the Vietnamese Medal of Honor.
Obits
Harrell Jr: CC and retired Major passes away
Harrell’s Marine Corps career included serving as combat correspondent of the 4th Marine Division, in the Pacific Theater, during World War II, until he was wounded in the battle of Saipan. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with a “V” for valor in combat.
Active Duty|Obits|Obits
Col. John Miller, 2009 Denig winner dies suddenly
Col. John Grider Miller (USMC Ret.)
Retired Marine Colonel John Grider Miller, selected as this year’s recipient of the Brig. Gen. Robert L. Denig Memorial Distinguished Performance Award, died suddenly at his home in Annapolis, MD on Monday, August 31.
Miller was to have received our prestigious award on September 17 at our annual Merit Awards Banquet in Hampton, VA. Cause of death is not known at this time. Funeral arrangements will be announced as they are received.
Colonel Miller has been one of the Corps most prolific writers as Deputy Director of History and Museums and as speechwriter to three Commandants. Following retirement he served 15 years as Managing Editor of the U. S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings Magazine. He is best known for his book, Bridge at Dong Ha – the John Ripley story – optioned as a motion picture. At his death he was engaged in writing a history of the Marine Barracks at 8th and I.
Obits
Funk: Long-time member John Funk dies
John was a decorated veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He was a recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific ribbon with three stars, Philippine Service Medal, UN Korean Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with two stars. After his military service, John served as the Public Affairs Officer for the Norfolk Naval Supply Center.
Obits
Services held for Jack Lewis
- Jack Paxton, Executive Director, USMCCCA gives the eulogy for Jack Lewis at the Star of the Sea Church at Kalapana, HI. (Photo by Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso)
Funeral services were held for Jack Lewis on June 11 at Star of the Sea Church at Kalapana, HI. Called the “painted church” it was the perfect location for ceremonies honoring Jack, whose life was equally colorful.
In his remarks, Pastor Alex Pacheco recalled Jack’s strengths even at the end. He married Jack and Stephanie one month before his death. “He was determined to do this and we performed the ceremony at Jack’s beautiful home high overlooking the Pacific ocean.”
Obits
Lewis: Author, screenwriter Jack Lewis dies in Hawaii
“LtCol. Jack Lewis died Saturday May 24, 2009. He died due to a fight with lung cancer. He lived a long and celebrated life. A war hero, stunt man, book writer, editor, business owner, and father to three sons and two daughters as well as a grandfather to three grandsons and five grand daughters. He was loved and respected. We will all miss him.” — Kehau Kuala, his daughter