John V . Power John Vincent " Jack " Power ( November 20 , 1918 – February 1 , 1944 ) was a United States Marine Corps first lieutenant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Kwajalein in World War II . Early life and career . Power was born on November 20 , 1918 , in Worcester , Massachusetts . He grew up in that city , living near the Cathedral of Saint Paul , and in 1937 graduated from Classical High School . He next attended the College of the Holy Cross , where he participated in tennis , basketball , football , and golf before his graduation in 1941 . One of his math teachers at Holy Cross was Reverend Joseph T . O ' Callahan , who would himself receive the Medal of Honor as a Navy chaplain in World War II . O ' Callahan remembered Power as " a good and determined student . " After the war , Power ' s youngest sister , Patricia Power Rose , tended to O ' Callahan as a student nurse at Worcester ' s Saint Vincent Hospital , where he was a patient . Power enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on July 7 , 1942 , and was soon assigned to Officer Candidates School . He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserve on October 31 , 1942 , and entered the 14th Reserve Officers Class at Quantico , Virginia , for a two - month course of instruction . World War II . In January 1943 , Power joined Company E , 3rd Separate Battalion , and deployed with that unit in March to Camp Pendleton , California . The designation of his unit was changed to Company K , 3rd Battalion , 24th Marine Regiment , and the unit subsequently joined the newly formed 4th Marine Division . He was promoted to first lieutenant on August 31 , 1943 . Power sailed with his unit in mid - January 1944 from San Diego harbor , and on February 1 , 1944 , the 24th Marines participated in the assault at Roi - Namur in the Kwajalein Atoll , Marshall Islands . Roi was captured in short order and the surviving Japanese fled to nearby Namur . It was during the battle of Namur Island that Power was killed in action when he charged a Japanese pillbox despite a severe stomach wound . The Medal of Honor was presented to his parents by President Franklin D . Roosevelt at the White House in November 1944 . Power was initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Roi - Namur . His remains were later returned for burial at St . John ' s Cemetery in his hometown of Worcester , Massachusetts . The destroyer was named in his honor . A plaque commemorating the USS " Power " is located at his alma mater , the College of the Holy Cross , in front of the Hogan Campus Center . Power ' s sisters donated his Medal of Honor to Holy Cross . Medal of Honor citation . Power ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as platoon leader , attached to the 4th Marine Division , during the landing and battle of Namur Island , Kwajalein Atoll , Marshall Islands , 1 February 1944 . Severely wounded in the stomach while setting a demolition charge on a Japanese pillbox , 1st Lt . Power was steadfast in his determination to remain in action . Protecting his wound with his left hand and firing with his right , he courageously advanced as another hostile position was taken under attack , fiercely charging the opening made by the explosion and emptying his carbine into the pillbox . While attempting to reload and continue the attack , 1st Lt . Power was shot again in the stomach and head and collapsed in the doorway . His exceptional valor , fortitude and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of withering enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U . S . Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country .