Joseph James Brennion

PFC Joseph J. Brennion served with Baker Company, 5th Engineer Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 546513
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by DPAA
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 21, 1925
in Boston, MA
Parents
Frederick Ludwig Brennion (d. 1942)
Gertrude (Huerth) Brennion
Education
Quincy High School
Occupation & Employer
Student
Service Life
Entered Service
August 16, 1943
in Boston, MA
Home Of Record
249 South Central Avenue
Wollaston (Quincy), MA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Gertrude A. Brennion
Military Specialty
Shore Party Man (MOS 729)
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart (Iwo)
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Companies of the Fifth Engineer Battalion were attached to the infantry regiments of the Fifth Marine Division as support troops for the battle of Iwo Jima. If the battle concluded quickly – as planners claimed and all hands hoped – their primary role would be setting up water points and maintaining roads for their Division. PFC Joseph J. Brennion, a shore party man, would be responsible for organizing equipment and supplies on the beach.
Furious opposition met the assault troops on 19 February 1945, and the supporting waves also came under heavy fire. As the LCVP carrying Brennion’s platoon approached shore, it was “disabled” – either by mechanical failure or enemy action – and had to be abandoned. The engineers went over the sides, shedding equipment and swimming for their lives. First Lieutenant Worth W. Bositure claimed he saw Brennion in the water heading for the beach, but lost sight of the young Bostonian.
Exactly what fate befell PFC Brennion is not known; military records simply note “there was no report to the effect that [he] ever reached shore.” He was reported as missing in action, and an official declaration of death was issued on 20 February 1946.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; identifiable remains not recovered.
Memorials
Honolulu Memorial, Courts Of The Missing
Joseph’s cousin, Captain Richard Huerth USMC, was killed in action at Tulagi on 7 August 1942.
His older brother, Sergeant Carl J. Brennion, served with the 13th Marines at Iwo Jima.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Gertrude Brennion.
Location Of Loss
Brennion was last seen in the water offshore of either Red or Green Beach, Iwo Jima.