John R. Lanigan

John Ralph Lanigan (April 16, 1902 – May 24, 1974) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted as commanding officer of 25th Marine Regiment during Battle of Iwo Jima. Lanigan was a recipient of the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

Early career Lanigan while playing as lineman for the University of Maryland. 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.

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:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel John R. Lanigan (MCSN: 0-4128), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. Landing on D-Day under heavy artillery, mortar, machine-gun and rifle fire, Colonel Lanigan quickly reorganized his assault units and directed a determined attack which resulted in the capture of the highly fortified cliff on the right flank of the beach. Later, with all the original Battalion Commanders either killed or evacuated because of wounds, Colonel Lanigan accompanied the right assault battalion in further advances up the east coast, personally going from company to company and taking his place in the front lines to encourage the men of his unit. By his courage, fighting spirit and inspiring leadership, he contributed materially to the capture of strong enemy defenses and to the security of the Island, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. 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: