HIGGINS, JOHN J., JR.

Pfc. John Joseph Higgins, U.S.M.C., a member of a Marine Raider unit of the 6th Marine Division, was killed in action May 20 [1945], the Navy Department has notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Higgins Sr., 1815 W. Houston St.

Higgins attended the Sacred Heart Academy and Central Catholic High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in February, 1943, immediately after his graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School.

Reporting for boot camp in May, 1943, Higgins qualified as an expert marksman. He received his Marine Raider training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he took part in the motion picture, “Gung Ho,” the story of Carlson’s Raiders at Makin.

In October, 1943, Higgins was assigned for foreign duty. He had participated in battles for Bougainville, Emirau and Guam before going to Okinawa.

His brother, Platoon Sgt. Barney Higgins, is a member of the 5th Marine Division in the Pacific area.