Always Faithful: The Fascinating Life of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John H. Quick
Sergeant Major John Henry Quick wearing his Medal of Honor (courtesy of National Museum of the Marine Corps).
John Henry Quick (June 20, 1870 – September 9, 1922) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish–American War and the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross during World War I. John retired November 20, 1918 and after requesting to come back, was recalled from July 26, 1920 – September 15, 1920. He died in St. Louis, Missouri on September 9, 1922, at the age of 52 and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Jennings, Missouri.
Information above provided by Wikipedia.
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet. This resolution established the Continental Marines and marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. Serving on land and at sea, these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776, under the command of Captain (later Major) Samuel Nicholas. The first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines, Nicholas remained the senior Marine officer throughout the American Revolution and is considered to be the first Marine Commandant.
Following the Revolutionary War and the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps on July 11, 1798, Marines have served in nearly every conflict in United States history. In 1805, during the Battle of Derna, Marines rescued the kidnapped crew of the USS Philadelphia on the shores of Tripoli, receiving the nickname “Leathernecks” due to the high collars they wore as protection against the sabers of pirates. The decades following the War of 1812 saw U.S. Marines protecting American interests around the world. Following the Spanish-American War of 1898, in which Marines performed with valor in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, the Marine Corps entered an era of expansion and professional development.
In 1918, during the First World War, Marine forces launched a last-ditch close combat assault against German soldiers and completely destroyed the defensive counterattack. Surviving German soldiers nicknamed their adversaries “Devil Dogs,” due to their relentless fighting spirit. By the end of World War II in 1945, the Marine Corps had grown to include six divisions, five air wings, and supporting troops. Its strength in World War II peaked at 485,113, with nearly 87,000 killed and wounded during the conflict. By the end of the Second World War, 82 Marines had earned the Medal of Honor.
Today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the proud tradition of those who so valiantly fought and died during World War I, World War II, the Korean & Vietnam Wars. Combining a long and proud heritage of faithful service to the nation, with the resolve to face tomorrow's challenges, the Marine Corps will continue to be the "best of the best."
One U.S. Marine who faithfully served his nation for over thirty years was a man named John Henry Quick, who was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Spanish-American War, rose to the rank of Sergeant Major, and saw action in places like Cuba, the Philippines, Mexico and France. Throughout his thirty years of service, John H. Quick exemplified the core values that form the bedrock of being a U.S. Marine.
John Henry Quick's story, hidden history that has remained long forgotten, is the story of an American hero ingrained with the core values of honor, courage and commitment & an American society today in need of some inspiration from the past.
For the rest of Quick's story, please check out the audio link provided for EPISODE THIRTY-FOUR of our podcast, Hidden History: An Odyssey Through Time
LISTEN NOW: Always Faithful: The Fascinating Life of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John H. Quick
Tune In With Your Favorite Platform!
Images and Documents
John Henry Quick, Declaration of Recruit, August 10, 1892 (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
Recommendation for Medal of Honor, November 28, 1898, from the military files of John H. Quick (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
Newspaper article announcing John H. Quick would receive Medal of Honor, The Spirit of Jefferson, West Virginia, February 21, 1899 (courtesy of newspapers.com).
John H. Quick in the 1900 U.S. Census (courtesy of familysearch.org).
Letter from John H. Quick to Commandant of Marine Corps, July 3, 1902 (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
John H. Quick discharge letter, August 14, 1902, U.S. Marine Corps (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
October 14, 1902, re-enlistment for John H. Quick (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
December 17, 1906, re-enlistment for John H. Quick (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
December 17, 1906, letter of reappointment for John H. Quick, from Private to Sergeant-major (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
December 17, 1910, re-enlistment for John H. Quick (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
Sergeant Major John H. Quick & Captain Delano help hoist American Flag atop Hotel Terminal, Veracruz, Mexico, April 1914 (courtesy of National Museum of the Marine Corps).
Marine officers, Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914: left - right, Captain F.H. DeLario, Sergeant Major John H. Quick (standing), Lieutenant Colonel W.C. Neville, Colonel J.A. Lejeune, & Major Smedley D. Butler (courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections).
Map of the Veracruz Harbor and the city labeled with the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy on April 21–22, 1914 (courtesy of U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command).
July 31, 1914, letter of commendation for John H. Quick for his actions during the Veracruz Campaign (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
December 17, 1914, re-enlistment for John H. Quick (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
Marriage license, John H. Quick & Edith Lucille Yoos, December 31, 1914 (courtesy of familysearch.org).
Sergeant Major John H. Quick, Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Marine Corps, date unknown (courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps).
Newspaper article about John H. Quick, The Times, Munster, Indiana, July 27, 1918 (courtesy of newspapers.com).
Edith Quick, wife of John H. Quick, The Ogden Standard, Utah, August 24, 1918 (courtesy of Library of Congress).
John H. Quick, The Ogden Standard, Utah, August 24, 1918 (courtesy of Library of Congress).
List of awards John H. Quick received between 1892 and 1918 (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
A letter to John H. Quick, dated October 31, 1918, in reference to his retirement request of October 25, 1918 (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
John H. Quick and wife Edith in 1920 U.S. Census (courtesy of familysearch.org).
Obituary for John H. Quick, The Shepherdstown Register, West Virginia, September 21, 1922 (courtesy of newspapers.com).
Newspaper article with death announcement of John H. Quick, The New-York Tribune, September 13, 1922 (courtesy of fultonhistory.com).
Funeral arrangements for John H. Quick, September 13, 1922 (courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps).
Funeral details for John H. Quick, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, September 15, 1922 (courtesy of newspapers.com).
Obituary of John H. Quick, The Spirit of Jefferson, West Virginia, September 26, 1922 (courtesy of Library of Congress).
Bonus application filled out by John's wife Edith after his death (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
Report of Death, John H. Quick, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Dept., c. 1923. This report is of the opinion that John's cause of death was the result of his active service in the Marines & therefore in the line of duty (courtesy of U.S. National Archives).
Newspaper article announcing a destroyer would be named after John H. Quick, The Amarillo Daily News, Texas, May 4, 1942 (courtesy of newspapers.com).
USS Quick (DMS-32, formerly DD-490), named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient John H. Quick, in port circa 1946 (courtesy of U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command).
The front & reverse of John H. Quick's Medal of Honor, earned during the Spanish-American War (courtesy of National Museum of the Marine Corps).
Add comment
Comments