John H. Yancey

John Howard Yancey
Born (1918-04-27)April 27, 1918
Plumerville, Arkansas
Died May 16, 1986(1986-05-16) (aged 68)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Buried Little Rock National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1942–1952
Rank Captain
Battles/wars World War II
*Battle of Guadalcanal
*Battle of Iwo Jima
Korean War
*Battle of Chosin Reservoir
*Battle of Hill 698
*Battle of Hill 1282
Awards Navy Cross x 2
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart x 3
Combat Action Ribbon x 2

John Howard Yancey (27 April 1918 – 16 May 1986) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He received two Navy Crosses, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.

Early life

Yancey was born on 27 April 1918 in Plumerville, Arkansas. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School and then attended Ouachita College, but left school before graduating in 1942 to join the Marine Corps at the outbreak of World War II.

Military career

World War II

Yancey was assigned to the Marine Raiders in World War II and became the body guard to Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson, the commander of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. In November 1942, during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Solomon Islands, Yancey's leadership in a strategic battle earned him the Navy Cross and a battlefield commission to lieutenant.[1]. He also served in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

After World War II, he served as a reservist in an infantry rifle company with 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines in Little Rock, Arkansas.[2]

Korean War

In 1950, at the onset of the Korean War, Yancey volunteered to return to active duty. He was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7).

He fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where he earned his second Navy Cross and a Silver Star. On 4 November 1950, Lieutenant Yancey led 2nd Platoon, Company E, 2/7 in the assault on Hill 698, a key position in the Chinese defenses near Sudong, North Korea.[3] After close combat with grenades and small arms, his platoon took the hill, and held it after a fierce counterattack.[4] On 27-28 November 1950, Lieutenant Yancey led his platoon in the defense of Hill 1282, which resulted in fierce hand-to-hand combat.[5] During the Battle of Hill 1282, Yancey continued to lead his Marines, despite being severely wounded.[6] For this action, he was awarded his second Navy Cross.

Honors

A Marine Corps League Detachment in Dallas, Texas was named after him.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Capt John Howard Yancey". Find-A-Grave. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  2. ↑ Cunning, Charles William. (15 November 2010). "John Howard Yancey (1918–1986)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved 28 July 2018. Note: Although the reference states, "After the war, he was discharged to the Marine Reserves Rifle Company in Little Rock", the only rifle company in Little Rock is 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines.
  3. ↑ Hunt, George P. (1951). The Story of the U.S. Marines. New York: Random House. p. 5.
  4. ↑ Story of Marines, pp. 7-13.
  5. ↑ Story of Marines, pp. 169-175.
  6. ↑ Story of Marines, pp. 174-175.
  7. ↑ Captain John Yancey Detachment of the Marine Corps League website, www.captjohnyancey.com
  • "John Yancy". Veterans' Memoirs. KoreanWar-Educator.org. July 1985. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
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