The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major John William Antonelli (MCSN: 0-6450), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese Forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. On 9 March, when the attack of his Battalion was stopped by extremely heavy enemy fire, Major Antonelli fearlessly worked his way over fire-swept ground to a small knoll forward of his front lines to make a reconnaissance. Although severely wounded while on this mission, he refused to be evacuated until he had completed his reconnaissance and issued the necessary orders for the resumption of the attack. After being sent to a field hospital, Major Antonelli voluntarily returned to his Command Post under a heavy shelling and resumed command of his Battalion, remaining with it until ordered back to the hospital by his Commanding Officer. A day later, he again joined his men and led them until evacuated from the island on 16 March, to prevent further infection of his wounds. His inspiring leadership and indomitable fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon Major Antonelli and the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
January 7 – September 30, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General John William Antonelli (MCSN: 0-6450), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chairman, Long Range Study Panel, from 7 January to 31 December 1967, and as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, from 1 January to 30 September 1968. As Chairman of the Long Range Study Panel, General Antonelli demonstrated imagination, professional competence, and intellectual capacity in the revision of the Long Range Concept and the development of a program which resulted in the fruition and implementation of a revised Marine Corps Long Range Plan. On 1 January 1968, he was assigned as the first commander of the Marine Corps Base, Quantico, which was established incident to the reorganization of the former Marine Corps School into the Marine Corps Development and Education Command. His ability to isolate and resolve the problems attendant to the establishment of a new organization was instrumental in achieving a smooth transition during its initial phases. Concomitantly, he was tasked with the responsibility for conducting the Marine Corps test of the Primary Management Effort Project. Confronted with the problems engendered with these two major tasks, his tireless, unswerving devotion to duty, coupled with his professional competence and inspiring leadership were the catalysts resulting in the successful completion of both programs. He was particularly instrumental in conceiving, formulating, and refining concepts and functions of support to the Marine Corps Development and Education Command. His keen insight and outstanding ability in the formulation and implementation of procedures during the Primary Management Effort test were a major contributing factor to its success. Superior performance of duties as typified above has been the hallmark of General Antonelli’s career in accomplishing broad and diverse tasks in both combat and other assignments, and highlights the culmination of more than twenty-eight years honorable and dedicated Marine Corps service. General Antonelli’s resourcefulness, mental acuity, and inspiring personal example were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.