Corporal George F. Lutchkus (CHS ’38) – US Marine Corps - Navy Cross Citation

Place of Birth: Lost Creek, Pennsylvania

Home of record: Coaldale, Pennsylvania

Navy Cross Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal George F. Lutchkus (MCSN: 271592), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 19 February 1945. Learning that a Japanese pillbox which had been by-passed by the assault waves was holding up the advance of reserve units, Sergeant Lutchkus voluntarily moved forward along in the midst of a heavy mortar barrage into a position from which he threw two grenades into the emplacement. Failing to silence the enemy, he returned to the Command Post and, picking up more hand grenades, returned to hurl these into the pillbox. When four of the hostile troops emerged from the emplacement carrying hand grenades, Sergeant Lutchkus killed them with his carbine and, entering the pillbox, completed its destruction, thereby permitting reserved elements to advance at a time vital to the success of the operation. His bold initiative, courage and unselfish devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Lutchkus and the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 44965 (November 4, 1948)

Action Date: 19-Feb-45

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Corporal

Company: Company B

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 27th Marines

Division: 5th Marine Division

http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=7799


CHS Class of ’38


Corporal George F. Lutchkus

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the World War II

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: George F. Lutchkus (MCSN: 271592), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action at Solomon Islands on September 13, 1942.

Action Date: September 13, 1942

Service: Marine Corps

In Memorian
November 8, 2007..........Times News

George F. Lutchkus

George F. Lutchkus, 88, of West Phillips St., Coaldale, died Wednesday (November 7) in the VA Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. He was the husband of Doris (Wescott) Lutchkus.

Prior to retiring, he had been employed at the Franklin Arsenal, Philadelphia, where he was a locksmith for the federal government.

Born in Lost Creek, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late Frank and Magdalena Lutchkus.

A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps, Company B, First Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Division, in the Pacific Theater. He was the recipient of two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star from the Guadacanal Campaign and a Navy Cross from the Battle for Iwo Jima.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Lithuanian Catholic Church, Coaldale.

A graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he attended the BOK Vocational School, Philadelphia, for two years. He was also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Surviving, in adition to his wife, is a sister, Mildred Busavage of Allentown.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Luckus and Vincent Lutchkus; and a sister, Anna Brecker.

The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.

Graduate of Coaldale High School in 1938.