John Schiller passed away today (March 4, 2008) at his home in Lakewood, CA.

John served with the old Amphib Recon during WWII in the South Pacific.  John was 87 and served in the Marine Corp from January 16, 1942 though January 19, 1945.

John and his Amphib Recon buddies hit the beaches at the following islands: Gilbert Islands (Tawara and Apamama Atoll),  Marshall Islands (Majuro, Eniwetok, Kwajalien and 34 total islands), Marianas Ialands (Tinian, Charan Konoa, Saipan), Iwo Jima, Kama and Kangoku Rock, Okinawa (Kerama Ratto, Islet Keise Shima, Islet Aware Saki, Kume Shima, Kuro Shima,) and Leyte in the Philippine Islands.  If I missed a few islands, I apologize to John's buddies that are left behind.

John had not been to a reunion in a few years due to poor health.  We would get together for lunch and he talked about going to see the WWII Memorial in DC and also the National Museum of the  Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. John had donated some money to the museum and bought a "Brick" at the Museum in Quantico and wanted to see if he got his "money's worth".  Well, Roselle Marte, Gerry and I got a wheel chair for John and we were off to Charleston, South Carolina to the 2007 Force Recon Reunion this past September.

Needless to say, after the reunion we all journeyed to the WWII Museum in DC and the Marine Corp Museum in Quantico.  Yes, to Quantico to find John's Brick.  See Attached photo.  John and his buddies are Heroes that I know we will never forget them.  He was a personal friend of my family and I.

Semper Fidelis

George Saitta