John Edward Haynes
Private John E. “Eddie” Haynes served with Charlie Company, First Battalion, 27th Marines.
He was killed in action at Iwo Jima on 22 February 1945.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 548183
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by DPAA
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 4, 1926
in Gusher, UT
Parents
Homer Hammer Haynes
Mabel E. (McMillen) Haynes (d. 1936)
Education
Alterra High School
Occupation & Employer
Truck driver
US Postal Service
Service Life
Entered Service
January 8, 1943
at Salt Lake City, UT
Home Of Record
Vernal, UT
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Homer Haynes
Military Specialty
Automatic Rifleman
(MOS 746)
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart (Iwo Jima)
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 22 February 1945, after three bloody and grueling days assaulting Iwo Jima’s beaches and fighting through fortifications, BLT 1-27 was to be relieved by BLT 3-26 and move back to reserve positions. This was achieved “with difficulty due to heavy mortar and artillery fire,” and BLT 1-27 did not actually leave the front lines until about 1300 hours. Late in the afternoon, they dug hasty fortifications to defend against a rumored Japanese counter landing, but returned to the bivouac area by dark. The battalion’s report stated that “intermittent artillery fire hit the battalion assembly area through the day and night.”
“Eddie” Haynes, an eighteen-year-old BARman from Vernal, Utah, was initially reported missing during the day’s action. Evidence confirming his death was received fairly quickly – according to DPAA records, Haynes was hit by a mortar shell – and his status was updated to killed in action.
No further details of Haynes’ death or efforts to recover his remains are currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; identifiable remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Homer H. Haynes
Location Of Loss
BLT 1-27 was operating near the western shore of Iwo Jima
