John Joseph Mackey's Obituary
John Joseph Mackey, age 95; a retired Gunnery Sergeant (GY SGT) in the United States Marine Corps (USMC); died of liver cancer at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on December 15, 2022.
John was born in Meriden, Connecticut on April 27, 1927, to Lawrence and Alice Mackey of Lenox, Massachusetts. Raised in Lenox, Massachusetts; John was the eldest of four with his brother, Robert and sisters; Eleanor and Ruth. As a teen, John earned money delivering the Saturday Evening Post Magazine as well as cutting and delivering ice in the winter to residents. Additionally, John and Robert were given the job of winding the steeple clock weekly at the historic, 'Church on the Hill' in Lenox.
After the breakout of World War II (WWII), John joined the 22nd Infantry of the Massachusetts State Guard in Lenox during his high school years before ultimately dropping out in 1945 to enlist in the USMC. After completing basic training, John was sent to Guam and Okinawa. John was among the first waves of Marines to land after Japan’s surrender. Four months later, John was reassigned to the 7th Marine Division being sent to China to assist in the surrender of Japanese forces in occupied China. During this time, John's unit was assigned to protect rail lines and bridges which were frequently attacked by communist marauders.
In 1947, John returned from China to Camp Pendleton, California. While on leave in Massachusetts, John met and married Jean Marie Hoag of Pittsfield, Massachusetts before being reassigned to the Boston Navy Yard. They had two sons, David John Mackey in 1947 and William Michael Mackey in 1949.
John left the USMC in 1947 to support his wife and children, purchasing a dump truck to work as a coal delivery driver for a coal company throughout Berkshire County.
In 1952, John reenlisted in the USMC and was assigned to the Marine Corps Training Center in Albany, NY. During the next 13 years, John was transferred between Albany, New York; Okinawa Japan; Quantico, Virginia; and Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
During the Vietnam War In 1965, John was transferred to Marine Air Group 12 at the Marine Air base at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. This base was a frequent target of raids by the Viet Cong.
In 1966, John returned to Quantico, Virginia, ultimately retiring in 1970. During his career, John was awarded the National Defense Medal and the combat Action Medal for service in WWII; the Occupation Service in Japan medal; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm; the Vietnam Service Award and five Good Conduct awards.
After his retirement, John held several jobs from 1970 to his death in 2022 including being a machinist, a Washington Post newspaper route manager, an auto repair man, manager of a small housing project, and manager of a storage facility.
John's first wife, Jean, died in 1971. In 1972, John met Shirley Stirn and they were married in 1974. John and Shirley traveled around the United States, living in Florida, California, and Massachusetts before settling in Virginia.
John's brother, Robert Mackey and sister, Eleanor Carroll, preceded John in death. John is survived by his sister, Ruth Salvatore of Lenox, Massachusetts; son David Mackey of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; sister-in-law Kris Mackey of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; son William Mackey of Centreville, Virginia; daughter-in-law Joan Anders Mackey of Centreville, Virginia; and grandson Christopher Mackey of Centreville, Virginia.
A memorial service is being planned for John in Lenox, Massachusetts at a date to be announced. After the memorial service, John will be returned to Virginia to be interred at the Quantico National Cemetery at a future date to be announced.
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