Passing Of A Marine

[thedrifter]

Attention on Deck Marines and Friends. I'm sorry to inform you all
that a Marine Corps Legand has passed away. MGySgt. Sir John Marjanov has
passed away 24 May 2002 and reported to Chesty for duty at the pearly
gates. I had the proud distinction to knowing Sir John as he was called
at Pickle Meadows Marine Corps Mountain Trg Ctr. I worked close to Sir
John when my unit in 79 or 80 rebuilt all the roads at the training
center and I can say that he was a colorful figure. Below is his
accolade:
Subject: Taps for Master Gunnery Sergeant John Marjanov, USMC

Master Gunnery Sergeant John NMN Marjanov enlisted in the United
States Marine Corps on January 16, 1941 and went to Parris Island, SC
for
basic training. He was assigned to 5th Marine regiment at Quantico,
VA.
He volunteered for the newly formed 1st Raider Battalion.
Upon acceptance to the Raiders he was sent to Navy Parachute School
at Lakebust, NJ; Commando School in Scotland; and Airborne training at
the
Army's base at Fort Benning, GA. While he served with the Raiders in
the
Pacific Theatre, he participated and distinguished himself in campaign
on
Guadalcanal, New Britain, New Guinea and other classified missions.
He took part in the Pelelieu landings with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines,
in
Leyte with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, the invasion of Iwo Jima with
the
2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, and the victory in Okinawa with the 2nd
Battalion, 1st Marines.

Toward the end of the Pacific Campaign he participated in the
classified
operations of mopping up Japanese war criminals in China, during which
he
was part of the capturing of General Yamashita.

After the war, Master Gunnery Sergeant was involved in the
protection of American and British interest in northern China against
Chinese Communist guerrillas until he was transferred to Camp Lejuene,
North Carolina. When hostilities in Korea erupted, Master Gunnery
Sergeant Marjanov was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade in Korea.
While
there, he participated in the defense of the Pusan Perimeter, the
amphibious invasion of Inchon, and the Chosin Reservoir campaign.
Because
of his actions at the "Frozen Chosin", Master Gunnery Sergeant Majanov
was
knighted by the Queen of England and awarded the Victorian Cross the
Order
of the British Empire, 1st Order; Britain's equivalent to our Medal of
Honor. He was returned to the United States for a short time when he
was
assigned back to Korea and was there for operations "Punchbowl",
"Unigok",
"Bunker Hill", "Hook", "Reno", and "Boulder City". During the Vietnam
conflict, Master Gunnery Sergeant Marjanov served with the 1st, 3rd,
and
5th Marine Divisions. While on active duty, Master Gunnery Sergeant
served at MCMWTC, Pickle Meadows on five separate tours. On 30
September
1974, Master Gunnery Sergeant Marjanov retired from active duty with
thirty-three and one half years of service.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Marjanov's decorations include the Silver
Star (two awards); Bronze Star with Combat "V" (two awards); the Purple
Heart (eight awards); Victoria Cross; the Order of the British Empire;
1st
Order; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Corps Level); the Navy and Marine
Corps Medal; and the Combat Action Ribbon.

He passed on to his eternal home in the morning hours of 24 May,
2002 at Pickle Meadows with Sailors, Marines, and one of his former
Commanding Officers at his bedside.

Semper Fidelis

Chaplain Andrew Peter Sholtes
Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center
Bridgeport, CA 93517-4202
760.932.7761 ext 932.8272/6202 Subject: Taps for Master Gunnery
Sergeant John Marjanov, USMC

Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

BURY ME WITH SOLDIERS

I've played a lot of roles in life;
I've met a lot of men,
I've done a lot of things I'd like to think
I wouldn't do again.

And though I'm young, I'm old enough
To know someday I'll die.
And to think about what lies beyond,
Beside whom I would lie.

Perhaps it doesn't matter much;
Still if I had my choice,
I'd want a grave amongst Soldiers when
At last death quell my voice.

I'm sick of the hypocrisy
Of lectures of the wise.
I'll take the man, with all the flaws,
Who goes, though scared, and dies.

The troops I knew were commonplace
They didn't want the war;
They fought because their fathers as
Their fathers had before.

They cursed and killed and wept...
God knows they're easy to deride...
But bury me with men like these;
They faced the guns and died.

It's funny when you think of it,
The way we get along,
We'd come from different worlds
To live in one where no one belongs,

I dfidn't even like them all;
I'm sure they'd all agree.
Yet I would give my life for them,
I know some did for me..

So bury me with soldiers, please,
Though much maligned they be.
Yes, bury me with soldiers, for
I miss their company.

We'll not soon see their likes again;
We've had our fill of war.
But bury me with men like them
Till someone else does more.
(anonymous)


Sempers,

Roger

[usmcsgt65]

A life "well done" Marine.

[THECOLONEL]

THIS INDIVIDUAL IS NOT A RECIPIENT OF THE VICTORIA CROSS ...

HE MAY BE THE RECIPIENT OF AN AWARD KNOWN AS THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER ...

THIS FACT MAY BE VERIFIED BY CHECKING, UTILIZING ' SEARCH ', THEN ENTERING ' VICTORIA CROSS ' ...

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[Foster]

John was a true friend to all. He Grace My life for 4 years .This trully makes my Heart Hurt as I never got back to Mwtc as I have wanted too before his passing. Sir John Thank You For what you taught me and being part of the man I have become ... John Foster , Rodge , Rodge Semper Fi

[RomeoTango]

Originally Posted by Foster

John was a true friend to all. He Grace My life for 4 years .This trully makes my Heart Hurt as I never got back to Mwtc as I have wanted too before his passing. Sir John Thank You For what you taught me and being part of the man I have become ... John Foster , Rodge , Rodge Semper Fi

Yes John, we had a great time and Sir John was always there for us. For a tool, a part, a haircut in the HE shop. He was always there.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps came to visit twice in my twenty years on the mountain, both times his first stop was to visit Sir John.
When he moved into the new HE shop, behind the door was his dress blues and an old M1 Garand.
Always chewing on stogie that resembled a week old cat turd, driving around in 60's chevy truck he affectionately called "Irene" (who was Irene??). There are stories about john I could tell first hand, but only the people that were there would believe them. He was that kind of a man.
I visited John the day before he died. It was tough for me to see him like that.

RIP Sir John, this Memorial Day I remember.

John Foster, my friend it has been too long.

Rog

On edit: does anyone remember his handwriting?

[RomeoTango]

Originally Posted by THECOLONEL

THIS INDIVIDUAL IS NOT A RECIPIENT OF THE VICTORIA CROSS ...

HE MAY BE THE RECIPIENT OF AN AWARD KNOWN AS THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER ...

THIS FACT MAY BE VERIFIED BY CHECKING, UTILIZING ' SEARCH ', THEN ENTERING ' VICTORIA CROSS ' ...

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

British Empire Medal

thank you very much