SIMONICH, JOHN D., JR.

Sgt. John D. Simonich of the Marine Corps, husband of the former Lois Wertz of Atchison, was killed in an explosion at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif., December 12 [1944]. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Jacqueline Anne, four months.

Sgt. Simonich was in the first wave of Marines to hit the Solomons as a member of Edson’s First Raider Battalion and holder of the Purple Heart, two Presidential Citations, the Navy Cross and the Soldier’s Valor Medal. He had taken part in nine major battles before returning to the States.