DOB/DOD: July 29, 1923 (Bangor, ME) – March 6, 1945; 21 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 69 Concord Street, Bristol
ENLISTMENT: November 13, 1942, in Augusta, Maine.
SERVICE NUMBER: 484003
UNIT: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division, 21st Marines
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0605, Heavy Machine Gunner
FAMILY: Born to Nelson J. (1892-1959) and Mary Agnes Iago (1890-1966) Budway. Youngest of three children. Siblings are Robert (1917-2003), and Edward (1913-1938) [killed by accidental discharge of a handgun in Bangor, ME]. 1, 2 John worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford prior to the service. 5
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island. Training at Camp Lejeune. In the summer of 1943, he was assigned to the 4th Parachute Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California. In January of 1944, assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 1st Battalion, and then records show him being assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 21st Marines, 2nd Division. 8 Died of wounds received. 6 Awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Corporal Joseph Riordan of New Haven, CT, was in the same company as PFC Budway and died 10 days before him.
For a comprehensive look at archival documents collected by PFC Budway’s family, please go to the link: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1Pg3bK
High School photo contributed by great-nephew Jim Budway.
From FindAGrave.com
Paratroop photo contributed by great-nephew Jim Budway.
Paratroop knife photo contributed by great-nephew Jim Budway.
Contributed by Jennifer Tower, an employee at John Bapst High School. 4
Entry in the 1945 yearbook at John Bapst High School in Bangor, Maine: “PFC John Budway, ’40 – ever-smiling and big-hearted “Jack” was in the Paramarines – volunteered for overseas duty – was on Saipan, Tinian, Guam, was killed in action on Iwo Jima on March 6th. May his soul rest in peace.”
From The Bangor Daily News on February 9, 1945
SOMEWHERE IN THE MARIANAS – (Delayed) – Private First Class John N. “Jack” Budway, of 689 Main Street, Bangor, Maine, recently won the senior welterweight championship of a Third Marine Division regimental boxing tournament in one of the closest bouts on the finals card. Using a fast left jab and standing toe-to-toe with his adversary in a last-round slugging spree, he won a decision over Private Robert M. Stolzman, 24, of 4115 Oketo Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Stolzman’s wading tactics nearly bowled over Budway at the start, but Budway rallied and rammed home enough jolts to the head to gain the decision. Both men tired rapidly in the third and final round, but Budway was the fresher at the bell. The winner received a $100 bond, and the loser a $50 bond. Budway formerly fought for John Bapst High School in Bangor before he enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1942. He shipped overseas last June. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. N.J. Budway, live at the Bangor address. Stolzman, formerly with the T.L. Artz company in Chicago, boxed in a number of Catholic youth organization tournaments. He enlisted in the Marine Corps last March and sailed overseas in July. His wife, the former Miss Dorothy Farr, lives at the Oketo Avenue address. His mother, Mrs. Clara Stolzman, resides at 2116 West North Avenue, Chicago.
From The Bangor Daily News on March 29, 1945
Bangor Marine Dies in Action at Iwo Jima
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson J. Budway of 689 Main Street received word from the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps yesterday that their son, Private First Class John N. Budway, U.S. Marine Corps, died March 6 from wounds received in action at Iwo Jima. Private First Class Budway was graduated from John Bapst High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in November 1942, received his basic training at Parris Island, and was graduated from the Para-Marine School at New River, South Carolina. He was later assigned to Camp Pendleton, California, and went overseas as a member of the famous Fifth Marine Division on July 1, 1944. He took part in the invasions at Saipan, Tinian, and Guam and finally at Iwo Jima.
From The Bangor Daily News on June 11, 1948
PFC John N. Budway Buried Here with Full Military Honors
Funeral services for Private First Class John N. Budway, United States Marine Corps, were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Thursday morning. Reverend John F. Nelligan was the celebrant at a Solemn High Mass of Requiem, Reverend John H. Clancy was deacon, and Reverend H. Francis Cox was sub-deacon. Bearers, all members of the Norman N. Dow Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars were: J. William Rogers, Commander; William E. Fish, Chaplain; Arthur Doucette, Senior Vice Commander; Clifford Bell, Officer of the Day; and George Wattrich. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, with Reverend H. Francis Cox conducting the committal service. Full military honors were accorded at the grave by the VFW members. The firing squad was from the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 314th A.A.A.A.W., Maine National Guard, under the command of First Sergeant Clarence Libbey Jr. Riflemen were Master Sergeant Joseph A. DeRoche, Technical Sergeant Claude W. Leathers, First Sergeant Earl A. Tracy. Evelyn Grindle will officiate.
Transcript of PFC Budway’s final letter home dated February 27, 1945. He was killed on March 6th, a week after this letter was written.7
TO: Mr. & Mrs. N.J. Budway FROM: PFC Jack Budway
689 Main Street Co. E, 2nd BN, 21st Marines
Bangor, Maine FPO Frisco, Calif.
Dear Mom & Dad,
Just a few lines to let you know I’m okay and hope that you folks are alright too!! Sorry I haven’t written for the past few weeks, but under the conditions, I was unable to, and most of the time it was impossible. You see, I’m on Iwo Jima Island and have been for the past week. I won’t mention anything about the damn place as you probably know what the score is from the paper & radio. I will tell you that I’m still trying to figure out how I’m still alive. It’s beyond me, it’s probably your prayers and mine too! Please don’t worry about anything, though, as I’m not anymore. I’ll write to you again in a few days after we have a little more time. Give my best regards to everyone and tell Marge I’ll write her later. I’d appreciate it if you would send me the clippings concerning this rock. Once again, I’ll tell you folks not to worry and that I’ll write to you later!
Your loving son,
John
Honored on a plaque in Memorial Park, Memorial Blvd, Bristol, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
Certificate presented to the family of PFC Budway by the City of Bristol, Connecticut. Contribution from great-nephew Jim Budway.
Initially buried in the 3rd Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 21, Grave 504. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on June 10, 1948, at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, 449 Ohio Street, Bangor, Maine; Section 7, Lot 389. Photo from FindAGrave.com. 3
1 – 1930 census https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/
2 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
3 – https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60315833/john-nelson-budway
4 – Received by e-mail on 3/22/2021 from Jennifer Tower, an employee at John Bapst High School
5 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/
6 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
7 – From an e-mail received December 29, 2021, from grand-nephew Jim Budway
8 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/