John R. Lanigan

. John R. Lanigan was born on April 16, 1902, in Washington, D.C. His parents were James Michael Lanigan (b. 1856, Limerick, Ireland d. 1909, District of Columbia, USA) and Jennie L Finnegan (b. 1863 White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier, West Virginia, USA d. 1938 District of Columbia, USA. John was the 7th of eight children. He studied at the University of Maryland and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in the summer of 1926. During his time on the university, he was active in varsity football team and was known as “a substitute lineman whose aggressive play featured in nearly every game.” He was transferred to the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. in October 1927 and remained there until March of the following year, when he sailed as a member of 2nd Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Logan Feland to Nicaragua. While in the Caribbean, Lanigan participate in skirmishes with Sandino rebels at San Lucas, San Juan del Río Coco and Chipote Peak. Lanigan returned to the United States in February 1929 and assumed duty with Marine Barracks at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He was subsequently ordered for his first sea duties in May 1930, when he was attached to the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS California. While aboard that ship, he participated in the patrol cruises in the Pacific Ocean until October 1932, when he was ordered back to the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He was then stationed in Cape May, New Jersey from April to October 1934 and then served again in Washington, D.C. until February 1935, when he was ordered to Shanghai, China as a member of 4th Marine Regiment under the command of Colonel John C. Beaumont. Lanigan participated in guard duties in the Shanghai International Settlement until September 1937 and then returned to the United States. Lanigan was ordered to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico and completed the Junior course in June 1939. He then served as an instructor at the Basic School for officers at Philadelphia Navy Yard until August 1942. ==World War II==

and Air Medal to Senator Joseph R. McCarthy for his World War II service as Marine officer, December 1952. With the increasing need of more marine units, 23rd Marine Regiment under Colonel Louis R. Jones was activated at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in July 1942 and Lanigan, who was already promoted to the rank of major was appointed commanding officer of 3rd Battalion. He led the unit during the period of intensive training, before the 23rd Marine Regiment was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California in June 1943 and attached to 4th Marine Division under Major General Harry Schmidt. Lanigan was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and appointed regimental executive officer in December of that year and took part in the preparation for combat deployment to the Pacific area. The 23rd Marines sailed to the Pacific area in January 1944 in order to capture the island of Roi in the Marshalls. Kwajalein was captured one month later and Lanigan spent following four months on Maui, Hawaii. During the capture of Saipan in the Marianas in June 1944, Lanigan was wounded by enemy fire and evacuated to the rear. He was declared fit for duty after few weeks of rest and rejoined his regiment. The 23rd Marines then took part in the capture of close Tinian and Lanigan distinguished himself during the battle. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and Navy Presidential Unit Citation. Lanigan was promoted to the rank of colonel in August 1944 and appointed 4th Marine Division Personnel officer. He remained in this capacity until he was relieved by Colonel Orin H. Wheeler on November 1, 1944. Lanigan then relieved Colonel Merton J. Batchelder as commanding officer of 25th Marine Regiment and led his regiment during the battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. His official Navy Cross Citation reads: ==Later service==

Following his return to the United States in June 1945, Lanigan served briefly with the Marine barracks at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, before assumed duties as officer in charge, Southern Recruiting Division in Dallas, Texas. He was ordered to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in June 1948 for duty as commanding officer of Marine Barracks at local Naval Base and returned to the United States in July 1950. They had together four sons, one of whom, Michael, appeared as a guest on the TV panel show, What's My Line?, in 1961. ==Decorations==

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General John R. Lanigan: ==References==