John V. Power was born on November 20, 1918. After attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, Power enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942 during World War II. In 1944, as a first lieutenant, Power was deployed to the South Pacific to fight in the Marshall Islands as part of an assault on Namur Island. On February 1, 1944, Power was killed in action during the Battle of Kwajalein. In recognition of his actions during the battle, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was given by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt to his family at the White House in November 1944. He is one of the few residents of Worcester to be awarded the medal.