Red Cross Items of Iwo Vet

[Brian Keith]

John Jaqua of Portland, IN was the ARC representative assigned to the 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. The marines featured in the famous Mount Suribachi flag raising photograph were also from the 28th Marines. Jaqua, as part of his Red Cross Duties, assisted the medical and chaplains staff during the battle.

This is a pass for Sasebo District, 5th Marine Division Shoulder sleeve insignia and a collar insignia from Jaquas footlockers. His cover features a USMC hat device and ARC Military Welfare insignia.

I posted his Citation here: http://www.usmilitar...n-iwo-citation/

And a Iwo blood plasma label here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/262804-blood-plasma-box-from-the-battle-of-iwo-jima/?hl=jaqua

Thanks for looking,

BKW

 

[BFoster]

Hi Brian,

This is so amazing! John Jaqua is my 1st cousin 2x removed. He and my grandfather, Byron Jaqua were 1st cousins. Are you a relation?

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

Beth Foster

[Brian Keith]

Hello Beth,

John was a Board Member of the Museum of the Soldier in Portland,IN.I am a Founding Board member and we invited him onto the board shorty after our founding in 1997. I didn't really know him prior to him joining the board. He was somewhat elderly at that time and wasn't really active at the museum a lot. He donated several things of his to the museum. After his passing, there was an auction sale of the home contents and I purchased nearly all of his remaining artifacts. We have a display of many of his artifacts at the museum. I occasionally dig into some of his artifacts and share them here. The Battle of Iwo Jima is a quite popular to study and collect. John had a unique part of that battle.

Let me know if you get to Portland and we'll make sure you get a tour!

BKW

[BFoster]

I'd love to get back there sometime. We've moved to CO so it might be awhile. I do recall one visit with John and Grace at his home that he had a signed picture of the flag barriers with maybe the names of the 5th Marine Div? I'm glad his uniforms and his story is in the museum for everyone to see! I have a unique connection with Marines from when we lived in Helena, MT. I piped many funerals at the VA and was a Toys for Tots coordinator and volunteer for many years there. I also had a Great uncle that was a Marine in WWI but not on Iwo.

 

Thanks again for posting these great pictures!

 

Beth