John Gnorik
PFC John Gnorik served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 7th Marines.
He was killed in action at the Metapona River, Guadalcanal, on 3 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 305033
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 22, 1922
at McKeesport, PA
Parents
Martin Gnorik
Elizabeth (Bakaysa) Gnorik
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Soil conservation laborer
Civilian Conservation Corps
Service Life
Entered Service
March 10, 1941
at Pittsburgh, PA
Home Of Record
422 Arctic Street
McKeesport, PA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Gnorik
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
F/2/7th Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 2 November 1942, the Second Battalion, 7th Marines were ordered out to the Koli Point area east of Henderson Field to intercept a possible Japanese landing. After a day-long march, they crossed the Metapona River and took up concealed positions along the shoreline to await the enemy. The hunch was right; a sizable force did land, but 2/7 was unable to contact the main perimeter due to radio interference. A firefight broke out at dawn on 3 November and quickly coalesced on positions held by Fox Company, 7th Marines. Unable to call for reinforcements and with ammunition running low, LtCol. Herman H. Hanneken opted to conduct a fighting withdrawal back across the Metapona River. Altogether, 2/7th Marines lost 23 wounded, one killed in action (PFC John W. Stump), and one “missing (believed killed).”
PFC John Gnorik of F/2/7 was the lone Marine reported as “missing.” While his death would not be officially confirmed for several days, some of his buddies may have known his true fate immediately after the battle.
PFC John Gnorik, a quiet, capable friend to many within F/2/7, also lost his life, probably to American fire. [PFC Robert P.] Magnan and [PFC George S.] Cummins found him the following morning. Sadly his body was half submerged in the water of the shoreline, and fish had feasted on his remains. They buried what was left.
Burial Information or Disposition
On 7 November 1942, Gnorik’s body was found and buried near the battlefield “in vicinity of (115.7-80.5) East Coast Guadalcanal.” Unfortunately, the 7th Marines were operating with “D-2 Map #3” (which was specially prepared for their use), and not the standard Map 104. Post-war searchers plotted the area as “1000 yards south of airfield just forward of the front lines at Lunga Ridge”– approximately the area where several members of the First Raider Battalion were killed at Edson’s Ridge, and nowhere near the Metapona area. Even sketches included in Gnorik and Stump’s files failed to provide usable clues.
It is not known how close search parties ever came to the graves of the Fox Company Marines. Neither have been accounted for.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Gnorik.
Location Of Loss
Gnorik was killed in action near the mouth of the Metapona River.
