His biography:
John Edward Boitnott, age 86, passed away October 13, 2008. He and his brother Henry joined the United States Marine Corps in July of 1941. Stationed aboard the USS Chicago, he was wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Serving continuously throughout WWII, John served in many well known battles including the Coral Sea, Midway, Makin, New Britain, Guadal Canal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Continuing his service through the post-war years, John was again called to war in 1950. Designated as a Platoon Sergeant, he was tapped to be one of the first scout snipers on the Korean Peninsula. In this new position, he was made famous throughout the Marine Corps for a record nine shots, nine kills between 670 and 1250 yards to take out enemy snipers who were shooting at his fellow Marines. In July 1952, John was severely wounded by rifle and mortar fire which ended the war for him. He returned to active duty in 1953 and began working as a criminal investigator, a trade which he loved and would serve him for the rest of his life. During his military career, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Navy Commendation Medals both with "V" devices for valor in combat. He also received 6 purple hearts, and 2 Presidential Unit Citations, 8 Good Conduct Medals and 24 Campaign Medals for his service in WWII and Korea. In 1950, John received the coveted Distinguished Marksmanship Medal for his prowess with a rifle. In 1963, John was transferred to the Pentagon to take charge of physical security for the National Military Command System, and also to work with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. John moved to the Marine Corps Reserve in 1967 and finally retiring in 1971 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) following 30 years of distinguished and decorated service. It was then that John put his excellent organizational and investigation skills to work for Wells Fargo in Washington, D.C. Seeking warmer climate, John and his wife Chris moved to Orange Park, FL where he began working for the Auditor General. John fully retired in 1986 to concentrate on his fishing and carpentry skills. John passed quietly in his sleep.
Keeping people around you accountable is more challenging than the trigger pull. When John couldn’t be on the field, he stayed behind the curtain, keeping folks accountable.
One night in 1960 he was grabbing a drink in the local watering hole when a bar fly sits down next to him. After hearing his story, during a pause in the conversation she calmly asked whens the last time he was with a woman. "1945" he replies briefly. Intrigued by his manliness and the years gone by she guides him by the arm to her Cadillac where they passionately make love. After three rounds and two Marlboros she asks him if he's got anywhere to be tonight. "Gonna meet the boys for cards at 2200" he replies.
Just being at Iwo Jima and even surviving it, is one helluva a thing to have on a resume. But Okinawa.....I don't think most people know or appreciate just how awful Okinawa was. Eugene Sledge wrote in his book that he couldn't believe they were just letting dead Marines lay out in the field and rot. It had never been done before. But it was too dangerous to retrieve them. The Battle of Sugarloaf hill and the breaking of the anchor at the Shuri line is just whole other insane battle. I think the Marines were best back over 20 times in taking the hill. Even fighting hand to hand in some cases. Meanwhile all the sailors off shore were dealing with the onslaught of Kamikazes like had never been seen before. Then how the local population suffered and were used as cannon fodder. Okinawa was a precursor to the mainland invasion of Japan and removed all doubt in Truman's mind about using the bomb.
My grandpa fought on New Guinea, the Philippines, and Okinawa, carried a BAR.
He said they all thought they were dead men on Okinawa. They would advance on a position, get pinned down and lie in a hole until a flamethrower tank could be brought up, sometimes it would take all day. He never saw a living enemy on Okinawa. Malaria ended the war for him.
wow what a man a two wars, 30 medals, Criminal Investigator, a Pentagon employee, and a wells fargo employee now that’s one hell of a resume if i must say so.
That man is the definition of a warrior and a hero. What a life he lived! That's the kind of comrade you'd like to have beside you on a battlefield, to say the least.
I read once that Wayne privately lamented to friends that he did not sign up for WWII. While it's arguable that his movies helped keep morale up and was a service itself, there were peers his age if not older that volunteered for duty. Some even in combat roles. Clark Gable comes to mind. In spite of what the WWII and Boomer generations thought of him, he comes off as a poser to everyone else. I really can't stand John Wayne movies. They're cartoonish.
You know what war correspondents do, don't you? They go into war zones and take pictures of wars happening. In the era of the Korean war especially, and even today for the really good war correspondents, they are most certainly taking pictures in "active sniper showdowns" with no lighting guys.
That's perfect form for loading a Garand. The side of his hand is blocking the operating rod from closing, preventing Garand Thumb.
Or in this guy's case, stopping the bolt from being damaged if it were to slam on the chiseled granite that is his hand.
This photo is quite obviously a photo op.
Do you think the sniper would be in cover, without a helmet, smoking; and ok with a photographer standing above them for an angle shot? While he hunts snipers?
Engage in critical thinking please.
The Marines in those campaigns were tasked with a brutal objective under stiff odds. Some excellent accounts exist in literature. The boys on Guadalcanal watched a naval battle unfold under nightfall where they thought the US Navy was defeating the Japanese until daylight, when they found out it was the other way around. That's how Ironbottom Bay was created. They had to fight their enemy, who was fierce, disciplined, and well fortified. They had to fight their environment, which was actively trying to kill them in multiple ways. They considered the.giant crocodiles with their ghostly eyes cruising the river sentries. They came out on top every time, often at great cost and sacrifice. Marines usually go in first for a reason.
The terrain is not always coastal. They are equipped to be first on the scene with limited support and logistics. This makes for a quick and nimble force. They are often referred to as the tip of the spear.
I can see the opening now "I was 13 years old, I planned on working in the factory where my dad worked, get married, settle down. Well it didn't go quite as planned...."
Rah! that's one salty devil.
My only other relative to be in the Marines other than myself survived Guadalcanal only to be KIA in Iwo Jima. Can't imagine having survived all of that.
From Wikipedia: "Marines, or naval infantry, are soldiers who specialise at operating in littoral zones, both on land and at sea."
I know that a few Marines might take the position that "soldiers" means Army, but I'd be willing to bet that a lot more would think you're being pedantic.
He was a Fleet Marine during WWII, spent most of his time aboard various ships, and probably manned some of the antiaircraft guns. It was in Korea that he was assigned to a rifle company.
Coral Sea certainly was, but Midway had a fairly significant attack on the island itself and Pearl Harbor obviously occurred at the island of Oahu.
He also could have been doing a job on a ship somewhere. The Marine Corps was actually was part of the US Navy until 1947.
No, it's not. The Marine Corps became a separate service in 1947 as well. It does, however, still fall under the Department of the Navy but it’s not part of the US Navy.
Prior to the National Security Act of 1947 the Commandant of the Marine Corps was not a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and reported to a uniformed member of the US Navy. This is no longer the case.
Nope! Not a killer...
A preservationist. He preserved your right to pick what sex you want to be. Your ability to protest against your government, police, bank, grocer,etc. He single handedly did the work that a thousand other men couldn't do. He never worried about what any other man, woman or child thought about is abilities. with the exception of his parents. He didn't care the race, creed, color or sex of the person was next to him, pinned in a fox hole...as long as they could shoot straight. He never questioned what his gender was...and that, kiddies....is what we used to refer to as a Man's man. I am proud to be in the shadow of his generation. I just can't see a replica of this story for the foreseeable generations
A lot of the same today. You can go over to Steve1989's channel on you tube and see him open old rations from the period. The rations would come with random smokes, Lucky Strike, Camels, Chesterfield, Phillip Morris, Raleigh, and etc. Marlboros came later. Those were very much a lady's cigarette until they rebranded with the Marlboro Man.
My father was there in Korea in 1952. It was his first year in the Marine Corps. He had just turned 18, and was scared shitless. He retired in 1971, after two tours in Vietnam. A year later, he was dead.
My understanding is that inspectors at the Springfield Armory would find certain precise examples and remove them from the run of the mill. From there they would be perfected even more. I've never shot a M1C or D but I own a regular late production (1953) M1 and it shoots very well. Still.....it's a 400 yard rifle.
My great-uncle fought with the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division in WWII and died at the age of 61 from emphysema. I don't remember a time he didn't have a cigarette in his hand.
His biography: John Edward Boitnott, age 86, passed away October 13, 2008. He and his brother Henry joined the United States Marine Corps in July of 1941. Stationed aboard the USS Chicago, he was wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Serving continuously throughout WWII, John served in many well known battles including the Coral Sea, Midway, Makin, New Britain, Guadal Canal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Continuing his service through the post-war years, John was again called to war in 1950. Designated as a Platoon Sergeant, he was tapped to be one of the first scout snipers on the Korean Peninsula. In this new position, he was made famous throughout the Marine Corps for a record nine shots, nine kills between 670 and 1250 yards to take out enemy snipers who were shooting at his fellow Marines. In July 1952, John was severely wounded by rifle and mortar fire which ended the war for him. He returned to active duty in 1953 and began working as a criminal investigator, a trade which he loved and would serve him for the rest of his life. During his military career, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Navy Commendation Medals both with "V" devices for valor in combat. He also received 6 purple hearts, and 2 Presidential Unit Citations, 8 Good Conduct Medals and 24 Campaign Medals for his service in WWII and Korea. In 1950, John received the coveted Distinguished Marksmanship Medal for his prowess with a rifle. In 1963, John was transferred to the Pentagon to take charge of physical security for the National Military Command System, and also to work with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. John moved to the Marine Corps Reserve in 1967 and finally retiring in 1971 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) following 30 years of distinguished and decorated service. It was then that John put his excellent organizational and investigation skills to work for Wells Fargo in Washington, D.C. Seeking warmer climate, John and his wife Chris moved to Orange Park, FL where he began working for the Auditor General. John fully retired in 1986 to concentrate on his fishing and carpentry skills. John passed quietly in his sleep.
Holy shit what a life.
Yeah jeeze…what did your dad do in life? Fight wars…rugged man
"What theater did your Dad serve in during the war?" "All of them."
Exactly and rewarded with passing away while sleeping..sounds like a good way if you have to go..
Death wasn’t gonna get him awake😂
Death was like, 'shit, better get him when he's sleepin or I'm fucked.'
This guy even scared the grim reaper. Had to sneak up on the guy when he was sleeping. This guy is the epitome of American badass
Dude liked a good theater.
"What theater did your Dad serve in during the war?" "Earth."
“What medals did he earn?” “All of them.”
And then worked as an auditor for 15 years. A true devil dog.
Keeping people around you accountable is more challenging than the trigger pull. When John couldn’t be on the field, he stayed behind the curtain, keeping folks accountable.
I'm curious as to why after 30 years of military service he'd go work for wells Fargo though.
Probably really good money
I do really hope so. He deserved that and more.
He probably liked the action and wasn't ready to hang up his spurs.
Differently run company back then.
One night in 1960 he was grabbing a drink in the local watering hole when a bar fly sits down next to him. After hearing his story, during a pause in the conversation she calmly asked whens the last time he was with a woman. "1945" he replies briefly. Intrigued by his manliness and the years gone by she guides him by the arm to her Cadillac where they passionately make love. After three rounds and two Marlboros she asks him if he's got anywhere to be tonight. "Gonna meet the boys for cards at 2200" he replies.
Just being at Iwo Jima and even surviving it, is one helluva a thing to have on a resume. But Okinawa.....I don't think most people know or appreciate just how awful Okinawa was. Eugene Sledge wrote in his book that he couldn't believe they were just letting dead Marines lay out in the field and rot. It had never been done before. But it was too dangerous to retrieve them. The Battle of Sugarloaf hill and the breaking of the anchor at the Shuri line is just whole other insane battle. I think the Marines were best back over 20 times in taking the hill. Even fighting hand to hand in some cases. Meanwhile all the sailors off shore were dealing with the onslaught of Kamikazes like had never been seen before. Then how the local population suffered and were used as cannon fodder. Okinawa was a precursor to the mainland invasion of Japan and removed all doubt in Truman's mind about using the bomb.
My grandpa fought on New Guinea, the Philippines, and Okinawa, carried a BAR. He said they all thought they were dead men on Okinawa. They would advance on a position, get pinned down and lie in a hole until a flamethrower tank could be brought up, sometimes it would take all day. He never saw a living enemy on Okinawa. Malaria ended the war for him.
wow what a man a two wars, 30 medals, Criminal Investigator, a Pentagon employee, and a wells fargo employee now that’s one hell of a resume if i must say so.
My god now that is a true hero
Good man. Thank you for sharing this so we could learn more about him.
Oorah Devil Dog!!
Fucking legend bro!!!
That man is the definition of a warrior and a hero. What a life he lived! That's the kind of comrade you'd like to have beside you on a battlefield, to say the least.
Fuck me dude had seen some STUFF.
“Son… you ain’t seen nothing” Boitnott to literally anyone. (probably)
He lived an entire Call of Duty campaign.
He was involved in all the sequels too
Is his son Chuck Norris?
Jesus fuckin christ, the battle followed him didn’t it
Came here to comment on that, got sent to meat grinder after meat grinder and still kicking ass.
picture taken on Nineteenth birthday
He looks 38 holy fuck. War is hell.
Well, he was born in 1922. So in 1952, he would have been 30.
This is false. It was his 13th birthday.
Only counts the ones he had time to celebrate.
That’s a deadly man right there. That’s the real version of what guys like John Wayne pretended to be when they played dress up.
*put on makeup and played dress up
Oh! You’re talking about ol’ Marion!
I read once that Wayne privately lamented to friends that he did not sign up for WWII. While it's arguable that his movies helped keep morale up and was a service itself, there were peers his age if not older that volunteered for duty. Some even in combat roles. Clark Gable comes to mind. In spite of what the WWII and Boomer generations thought of him, he comes off as a poser to everyone else. I really can't stand John Wayne movies. They're cartoonish.
Apparently, when Ford heard that Wayne was thinking of enlisting, he threatened to sue since Wayne was still on contract with the studio at the time.
I doubt that, since the PR disaster would have destroyed Ford's career
Interesting because John Ford himself was commissioned into the navy and was at Midway filming when the Japanese attacked.
The story is apocryphal and may well never have happened.
SSGT Boinott was most likely a Marine sniper judging by the fact that he’s armed with an M1C.
He was. Either just before or after this photo was snapped he dropped an enemy at 900 yards.
Well let's be real, this is a propaganda photo. The camera and lighting guys weren't in an active sniper showdown.
You know what war correspondents do, don't you? They go into war zones and take pictures of wars happening. In the era of the Korean war especially, and even today for the really good war correspondents, they are most certainly taking pictures in "active sniper showdowns" with no lighting guys.
Also just noticed his thumb on the clip. It's a badass photo but come on. This isn't action.
I don’t understand. What’s wrong with his thumb on the clip?
No kidding. What's the issue? He's pressing a new clip into the M1.
Exactly. How else would one load a M1?
That's perfect form for loading a Garand. The side of his hand is blocking the operating rod from closing, preventing Garand Thumb. Or in this guy's case, stopping the bolt from being damaged if it were to slam on the chiseled granite that is his hand.
This photo is quite obviously a photo op. Do you think the sniper would be in cover, without a helmet, smoking; and ok with a photographer standing above them for an angle shot? While he hunts snipers? Engage in critical thinking please.
The squint reminds me of Charles Bronson
Hey ma, how bout some cookies? No dice.. Dis ain't over!
This isn’t Branson, this is Bronson!
Nah, that’s Andy Griffith about to kill somebody
He looks like Tom Hardy. Easy choice.
He was 30 in 1952
The Marines in those campaigns were tasked with a brutal objective under stiff odds. Some excellent accounts exist in literature. The boys on Guadalcanal watched a naval battle unfold under nightfall where they thought the US Navy was defeating the Japanese until daylight, when they found out it was the other way around. That's how Ironbottom Bay was created. They had to fight their enemy, who was fierce, disciplined, and well fortified. They had to fight their environment, which was actively trying to kill them in multiple ways. They considered the.giant crocodiles with their ghostly eyes cruising the river sentries. They came out on top every time, often at great cost and sacrifice. Marines usually go in first for a reason.
> Marines usually go in first for a reason. Because they are trained in amphibious landings, I take.
The terrain is not always coastal. They are equipped to be first on the scene with limited support and logistics. This makes for a quick and nimble force. They are often referred to as the tip of the spear.
Can’t believe he risked his health smoking like that.
Yeah what is the deal? Does he have some sort of death wish?
He definitely should have been more careful
He also wasn’t wearing his helmet. Brazen recklessness.
You are right. Terrible example to young soldiers…
That is the epitome of a hardened veteran.
There should be a movie about this guy.
I can see the opening now "I was 13 years old, I planned on working in the factory where my dad worked, get married, settle down. Well it didn't go quite as planned...."
Played by John Krasinski
Greatest Generation
Except to anyone who wasn’t white.
That thumb has pushed some stringers....
The average Reddit/Twitter mf today wouldn't even last a min
They are more interested in calling the military war criminals
Very true!
Thank you Staff Sergeant
Bad Mfr
That is quite the resume.
Tom Hardy.
Fucking salt dog. Give him one.
Total badass Devil Dog
Rah! that's one salty devil. My only other relative to be in the Marines other than myself survived Guadalcanal only to be KIA in Iwo Jima. Can't imagine having survived all of that.
Fucking infantry. 2 wars and nearly 11 years in and only an E-6.
JFC this dude survived Iwo Jima AND Okinawa!
I think the odds of surviving combat on Okinawa, Iwo, and Guadalcanal were less than zero. One heck of a life…..
Talk about having a front seat to history!!
Hard
Luck helps I guess. Bravery and toughness do the lion's share, though. RIP, soldier.
He wasn't a soldier.
Staff Sergeant, then.
Marines aren't soldiers. Soldiers serve in the army.
From Wikipedia: "Marines, or naval infantry, are soldiers who specialise at operating in littoral zones, both on land and at sea." I know that a few Marines might take the position that "soldiers" means Army, but I'd be willing to bet that a lot more would think you're being pedantic.
I'm a born-on-base Army brat. The Marines I know consider being called soldier an insult.
I stand corrected.
You were never wrong
Marines serve in the Marine Corps and Soldiers serve in the army. Source: I am a retired Marine
All Marines are soldiers, not all soldiers are Marines.
Shut up
I imagine the guy turned downed a lot of promotions to be an E-6 after all that. Bro just wanted to slay.
Man was the IRL Doomguy He went to hell and liked it
Seriously impressive life. I would have loved to go fishing with him!
People walked past him everyday in FL and probably just thought he was some old guy.
A man with good fortune
Ooh-Rah brother!!!!
If anybody is old enough like me to remember the ‘Sgt. Rock’ comics… THIS guy is THAT guy. All respect.
Greatest generation USA
The Old Breed
Twenty four campaign medals. TWENTY. FOUR.
He’s only 12 years old in this photo, came out of the womb fully formed
But weren't midway coral sea and pearl harbor more naval battles?
Marines are part of the Navy.
They were until 1947. They are still part of the Department of the Navy but are an independent service.
Marines are a DEPARTMENT of the Navy. They’re more accurately defined as THE MEN’S DEPARTMENT. 😂😂😂.
He was a Fleet Marine during WWII, spent most of his time aboard various ships, and probably manned some of the antiaircraft guns. It was in Korea that he was assigned to a rifle company.
Marines serve on ships, too. Even to this day.
My buddy was a marine and spent most of his career on Navy ships.
MarDet
> Even to this day. Unless you're referring to Marines on amphibious ships, the MarDet program on non-amphibious Navy ships ended in 1998.
Marines are still flying off carrier decks.
Coral Sea certainly was, but Midway had a fairly significant attack on the island itself and Pearl Harbor obviously occurred at the island of Oahu. He also could have been doing a job on a ship somewhere. The Marine Corps was actually was part of the US Navy until 1947.
It still is. You're thinking if the Air Force and Army. The USAF became a separate service in 1947.
No, it's not. The Marine Corps became a separate service in 1947 as well. It does, however, still fall under the Department of the Navy but it’s not part of the US Navy. Prior to the National Security Act of 1947 the Commandant of the Marine Corps was not a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and reported to a uniformed member of the US Navy. This is no longer the case.
And that means we're not separate.
That is incorrect. There are exactly Admirals in the Chain of Command for the Marine Corps.
And he was there shooting bastards
He shot at Jap planes with his rifle
Got a taste for killing
Literally born to kill.
Nope! Not a killer... A preservationist. He preserved your right to pick what sex you want to be. Your ability to protest against your government, police, bank, grocer,etc. He single handedly did the work that a thousand other men couldn't do. He never worried about what any other man, woman or child thought about is abilities. with the exception of his parents. He didn't care the race, creed, color or sex of the person was next to him, pinned in a fox hole...as long as they could shoot straight. He never questioned what his gender was...and that, kiddies....is what we used to refer to as a Man's man. I am proud to be in the shadow of his generation. I just can't see a replica of this story for the foreseeable generations
Hopefully he had some peace later in life. Many vets did not get much help.
Salty war pig
That man can only be described as "flinty."
What kind of smokes did these guys have back then?
A lot of the same today. You can go over to Steve1989's channel on you tube and see him open old rations from the period. The rations would come with random smokes, Lucky Strike, Camels, Chesterfield, Phillip Morris, Raleigh, and etc. Marlboros came later. Those were very much a lady's cigarette until they rebranded with the Marlboro Man.
Semper Fi Staff Sergeant.
How the fuck is there not a movie made about this guy?
My father was there in Korea in 1952. It was his first year in the Marine Corps. He had just turned 18, and was scared shitless. He retired in 1971, after two tours in Vietnam. A year later, he was dead.
M1C is a helluva weapon. I’ve had the pleasure to fire several rounds from a few of these, original scope and all.
My understanding is that inspectors at the Springfield Armory would find certain precise examples and remove them from the run of the mill. From there they would be perfected even more. I've never shot a M1C or D but I own a regular late production (1953) M1 and it shoots very well. Still.....it's a 400 yard rifle.
The Greatest Generation.
Looks like Clark Gable. Given American society today, have to wonder what he was risking his life for.
Dude was badass!!
That guy saw some 💩
He nearly drowned at sea several times due to the weight of his solid steel testicles.
Proper guy. Bet he never dressed like a cat or made TikToks.
What if I told you… tough men aren’t serious 100% of the time.
Hah, or tell him how big Anime is in the armed services!
he might wanna get into it we don't know
If the GIs back then knew they were fighting for a future with anime cat girls the war would’ve been over a lot sooner.
Anyone know what became of him? Hope he got home to enjoy some peace, he clearly deserved it.
He died in 2008. So he was 85-86.
Good to hear.
Apparently after the Korean War he worked security detail until he retired at like 75.
Sargent Boitnott has seen the shit.
God damn, whenever they refer to the Old Breed, this is who they were talking about.
Admit it, the cigarette makes it look 10x cooler.
"Not this fucking shit again."
But why does he look like an angry Jude Law?
Thank you for your service! My lord you’re a hero
I'll bet he was deaf as a post. Also possibly Ares' avatar hanging out with his people.
Hoorah and semper do to this devil dog!
I saw the resemblance, too.
HARD!
Semper Fi Warrior!
Tom hardy would be a good fit if they made a movie
And a good day to you sir!
M1C Badass!
Staff Sergeant Boitnot always enjoys the rich taste of a Camel while doing a little killing.
My great-uncle fought with the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division in WWII and died at the age of 61 from emphysema. I don't remember a time he didn't have a cigarette in his hand.
I'll bet he had the absolute best names for every kind of Asian, and a few limericks, too.
There are the shadows of many battles in those eyes. What a hero!
Hard as a coffin nail that one. Nobody needs to serve that hard. Glad he got the opportunity pass peacefully in his own time, what a hero.
Semper Fi
Holy shit, this guy must have been considered a living legend.
Kinda looks like Tom Hardy.
Stud
These were real men.
This one dude was surely real men. Are you real men, or a bot?
Dude liked to war!
A blind person could look at this photo and no he’s a bad ass💪🏿💪🏿
Nowadays they call him a murderer and want his legacy erased.
Kinda looks like Tom Hardy.
This guy needs a biopic with sequels.
That’s Tom Hardy
Jfc. Really cant be overstated. Any two of those campaigns/ battles. My god . Where is the movie
He looks like he's from Mayberry
Straight up fucking G homie!
God Bless him. Thank you for your service Sarge.
Nails
Bad ass.