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John Robert Alvord

Captain John R. Alvord was a Marine Corps pilot who flew with VMF-221.
He was shot down and reported missing in the battle of Midway on 4 June 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number O-6020

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains not recovered.

Pursuit Category

Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

June 13, 1915
at South Weymouth, MA

Parents

Henry Bissell Alvord (d. 1939)
Margaret (Graham) Alvord

Education

Melrose High School (1932)
Northeastern University (1937)

Occupation & Employer

Student

Service Life

Entered Service

September 14, 1937 (enlisted)
February 25, 1941 (commission)

Home Of Record

109 Putnam Street
Quincy, MA

Next Of Kin

Wife, Mrs. Nancy Alvord

Military Specialty

Pilot
Navigation & Flight Officer

Primary Unit

VMF-221

Campaigns Served

Midway

Individual Decorations

Navy Cross
Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Captain John Alvord was a Marine Corps fighter pilot assigned to VMF-221. His squadron was based at Midway Island in early 1942; Alvord flew an outdated F2A-3 “Buffalo” fighter in 1 Division, led by squadron commander Major Floyd B. Parks. On the ground, Alvord pulled double duty as the squadron’s Navigation Officer and Assistant Flight Officer.

At 0600 hours on 4 June 1942, Major Parks led his squadron aloft to intercept a large group of Japanese fighters and bombers bearing down on Midway. The five pilots of 1 Division attacked bravely, but their ageing Buffaloes were no match for the highly maneuverable “Zekes.” The entire division was shot out of the sky within minutes – including Captain Alvord’s F2A-3 #01525.

There are no eyewitness accounts of Alvord’s demise; he failed to return to Midway, and was reported as missing in action. On 5 June 1943, Alvord was officially declared dead.

Burial Information or Disposition

Shot down at sea; remains not recovered.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of wife, Mrs. Nancy Follett Alvord.

Location Of Loss

Alvord was shot down at an unspecified point after departing from Midway.

Related Profiles

Pilots of VMF-221 lost at Midway
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1 thought on “John R. Alvord”

  1. Lt. Colonel Rick Keilig Jr.

    Courage, dedication, duty, and service. They should never be forgotten. Every one in this nation should study their sacrifices.

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