Comment on Incident:

John was attached to the squadron from MAG disbursing when we went aboard ship as part of the SLF. Joel Vignere was the HAC. "Fish" Williams was the crew chief. Mike Fulstone writes that he had been asked to give up his set of skins so that Mooney could get his wings. Curt Gray got off the flight for lunch and Mooney replaced him. Joel's log indicates the bird was bureau number 147192 and the LZ was Duck.

There seems little doubt about what happened. They were picking up grunts from the above named LZ. Climbing aboard, a grenade came loose and exploded killing the Marine and Mooney. I seem to remember that a radioman was saved when his radio caught most of the shrapnel. I also remember a personal conversation with the Crew chief who told me that he was standing on the step when the grenade went off. Vignere's summary is the most comprehensive although his knowledge was limited to what he could see and surmise at the time. The crew was picked up by an H-46 and flown back to the Iwo Jima. Either Carl Wheeler or Deac Warner flew the badly damaged a/c back to the ship. Fulstone reports that the ship treated it as if it were an ongoing crash with full alert.

John James Murphy was assigned to BLT 1/9, Task Group 79.5, under Maj James L. Day.

Submitted by Bob Skinder,

Cpl John "Jack" Mooney Jr.:
Cpl. John "Jack" Mooney Jr. John, gets ready for another mission.
Submitted by webmaster@popasmoke.com, POPASMOKE webmaster

Personal Narrative:
After almost 40 years I have learned the names of the first two KIA's I provided first aid. Deckhouse V was my first operation after 3rd MarDiv returned form Okinawa. I was assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Platoon, 1/9 (the Walking Dead), 3rd MarDiv. Mooney, the crewman died instantly. It appeared that he saw the grenade, attempted retrieve the grenade but suffered the full impact of the explosion. It is my opinion that he should be recognized for his attempt to dispose of the grenade.

The passenger, LCpl Rhodes, had the grenade attached to his utility belt via the pin. When as Rhodes boarded chopper,the grenade brushed against the entrance near the bulkhead, fell to the floor of the chopper, armed.

Rhodes suffered a severe wound to his leg (nearly amputated), but eventually died of massive enternnal injuries.

You may contact me at the above address for further details.


Submitted by Hugh Hopson, First Hospital Corpsman on scene, A/1/9 3rdMarDiv

Family Narrative:
I have been married to John H. Mooney's son (also John Howard, now Rosser as the result of adoption by his stepfather) for 23 years. We have 2 daughters who have been raised knowing the story of their grandfather's sacrifice for his country. They have both grown up with so much love and respect for this man who gave his life for his country. I have watched them grow up (they are 16 and 19) to become young women who respect their country, the miltary, and particularly the Marine Corps. My husband also served a tour in the Marine Corps and during that time he located his father's grave in Long Beach, CA. I have watched him come to grips with the loss of his father in this incident and communicate it to our children in a way that has left them proud of their grandfather, understanding the ultimate sacrifice that he made for his country. His short life has made a huge impression on his grandchildren and they have developed a love for the military and their country as a result. Our family could not be more proud of him.
Submitted by Susan W. Rosser, John H. Mooney's Daughter-in-law

Cpl John H. Mooney Jr.:

http://www.popasmoke.com/visions/image.php?source=1137



Submitted by MGySgt George Curtis, Popasmoke Admin

Cpl John H. Mooney Jr.:

http://www.popasmoke.com/visions/image.php?source=3145


Submitted by MGySgt George Curtis, Popasmoke Admin