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Sergeant James Francis McEnery

A black and white headshot of a young White man in uniform.
  • Unit: 1st Marine Division, 5th Marine Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company K
  • Date of Birth: September 30, 1919
  • Entered the Military: September 3, 1940
  • Date of Death: September 16, 2012
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
  • Place of Death: Ocala, Florida
  • Award(s): Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with one star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five stars, and the American Defense Medal
  • Cemetery: Section K, Grave 19436. Long Island National Cemetery, Long Island, New York
Contributed by Asher Chetty, Solomon David, Nathan Graziosi, Brendan McCord, Sebastian McCord, Fred Scragg, Paige Zic, and Sophia
Mentored by Mrs. Karen Schmitt
Henry L. Stimson Middle School, West Hills, New York
2025/2026

Early Life

James F. McEnery was born in Kings County, Brooklyn, on September 30th, 1919, to Thomas Francis McEnery and Lilian Muroski. Thomas was born in New York and died in 1931. Lilian was born in New York and died in 1980. Mr. McEnery had one sibling and one half-sibling. 

McEnery went to high school at the Aviation and Trades School in Queens. In his twenties, he worked as a shipping clerk at Spencerian Pen Company in New York and as a runner for a press company.

A snippet of the 1940 Census.
The 1940 Census shows McEnery and his mom, Lillian, living in Brooklyn, New York. She is working as a salesgirl, and he is working as a runner for a press company. National Archives and Records Administration.

Homefront

The home front in Brooklyn looked different from other places in the United States. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was unlike the factories that produced tanks and ammunition; it produced and repaired ships. Over 70,000 people were employed there, making it the heart of military shipbuilding.  Ships like USS McCawley, which carried United States Marines like McEnery across the world, were part of this massive effort. 

Many local businesses advertised support for the war effort, such as the nearby Katz’s deli, which encouraged citizens to send salamis to their boys overseas.

To prepare for the war, many naval bases were built in New York City. At Hunter College in the Bronx, one of the most important Navy women’s training facilities was created. New York was a crucial port for troop movements and the transport of supplies.

A black and white image of an older White man in glasses with his arms full of salami. Behind him there is a sign with the slogan.
The famous Katz Delicatessen started the slogan, “Send a salami to your boy in the Army,” which caused the shipment of thousands of salamis overseas. Military.com.
A black and white image of the side of a ship with many troops coming down the side into smaller boats.
USS McCawley, built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is seen with troops climbing down cargo nets into Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) during rehearsals for the New Georgia Campaign, June 14, 1943. Naval History and Heritage Command.

Military Experience

Enlistment and Training

James F. McEnery enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 3, 1940. He was processed at the 1st Recruit Battalion, Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, on September 6, 1940. In November 1940, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia. He was assigned to the Guard Company there on January 1, 1941, and was promoted to private first class on April 23, 1941.

In June 1941, McEnery joined Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Fleet Marine Force — the unit he would serve with throughout the remainder of the war. On July 6, 1941, he boarded USS McCawley for training and then returned to the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, on August 16. From here, he was assigned to Marine Barracks, New River, North Carolina (now Camp Lejeune), where he was promoted to corporal. 

Overseas with the 5th Marines

McEnery participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal as a rifleman from August to December 1942. During this battle, James F. McEnery contracted malaria. He was sent to a hospital to recover.

On December 9, 1942, McEnery journeyed around Australia. He then embarked on SS B.F. Shaw for Milne Bay, New Guinea. From January 1 to February 10, 1944, McEnery participated in operations at Cape Gloucester-Borgen Bay Area, New Britain. 

McEnery then fought in the Battle of Peleliu, starting on September 15, 1944. McEnery’s unit landed in the center of Peleliu. During this battle, he operated a machine gun. He ran out of ammunition and had to take cover from enemy fire. Several weeks into the campaign, his company secured Ngesebus. Japanese soldiers attacked their position, hurling grenades into their lines. When their commander was killed, McEnery became the acting company commander. McEnery participated in operations there until October 15. 

Returning Stateside

After defeating the Japanese, the soldiers left for Pavuvu on October 27, 1944. After his overseas tour, James McEnery returned to the United States on December 22, 1944, and continued serving in the Marine Corps. 

While stationed at Parris Island, McEnery served as a drill instructor, training new recruits. On November 27, 1946, after six years in the military, James F. McEnery was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

A black and white headshot of a young White man in uniform.
James McEnery’s U.S. Marine Corps enlistment photo, September 11, 1940. Official Military Personnel File, National Archives and Records Administration.
A black and white image of a young White man in uniform.
McEnery in uniform just before leaving for the Pacific. Ocala Star-Banner.
A typed letter
McEnery was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for his service on Guadalcanal, February 4, 1943. Official Military Personnel File, National Archives and Records Administration.
A typed list of stations.
McEnery’s Professional and Conduct Service Record. Official Military Personnel File, National Archives and Records Administration.

Veteran Experience

After leaving the Marines, McEnery returned home to New York and began focusing on building his life. On August 21, 1947, he married Gertrude K. Johanson, and together they started a family. They had James, a boy who unfortunately died at birth, and a daughter, Karen. 

McEnery eventually worked at Rutgers University in New Jersey as a maintenance foreman. He did many odd jobs and even bought an auto upholstery business. Even though his wartime experiences were significant, he lived a normal life afterward, focusing on his family, his job, and his community. 

McEnery was involved in multiple veteran associations. McEnery co-wrote a book called Hell in the Pacific, a Marine Rifleman’s Journey From Guadalcanal to Peleliu, about his experiences in the war. 

A snippet of the 1950 census.
The 1950 Census shows McEnery and his wife Gertrude living as lodgers in Queens, New York. The two are lodgers in McEnery working as an auto upholsterer. National Archives and Records Administration.
A typed card authorizing burial at the Long Island National Cemetery.
When McEnery’s infant son, James, died, they requested that he be interred in the Long Island Cemetery, where both McEnery and Gertrude would eventually be buried. National Archives and Records Administration.
A book cover featuring a Marine in uniform running.
The cover art for McEnery’s book, Hell in the Pacific. Find a Grave.
A color image of an elderly White man in a hospital bed talking with an older White male who is holding a book.
McEnery talks with Tom Howard, a hospice volunteer, about his new book Hell in the Pacific, a Marine Rifleman’s Journey From Guadalcanal to Peleliu, August 30, 2012. Ocala Star-Banner.

Commemoration

Mr. McEnery died on September 16, 2012, at the age of 92. He was buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, in Section K, Grave 19436.

A color image of several students standing in a cemetery
Students from Henry L. Stimson Middle School gather to commemorate McEnery at the Long Island National Cemetery, March 24, 2026. Courtesy of Karen Schmitt.
A color image of an arched white marble headstone engraved with a cross and “James F McEnery SGT U.S. Marine Corps World War II Sep 30 1919 Sep 16 2012 Belowed Husband and Father.”
McEnery’s headstone at Long Island National Cemetery, March 24, 2026. Courtesy of Karen Schmitt.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

“Author, WWII Veteran Honored.” Ocala Star-Banner, August 30, 2012. https://www.ocala.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2012/08/30/author-wwii-veteran-honored/853005007/.

Infant James McEnery. U.S., National Cemetery Internment Control Forms, 1928-1962. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com/. 

“James F. McEnery.” Legacy.com. Added September 19, 2012. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ocala/name/james-mcenery-obituary?id=19015376.

James F. McEnery. New York, New York, U.S. Birth Index, 1910-1965. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com/. 

James F. McEnery. New York, New York, U.S. Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com/. 

James F. McEnery, Official Military Personnel File, Department of the Navy, National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

James F. McEnery, Report of Separation, Department of the Navy, National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

“McEnery, James.” The Digital Collections of the National WWII Museum. Accessed November 1, 2025. www.ww2online.org/view/james-mcenery.

McEnery, James. “James F. McEnery Collection.” Interview by Shawna Williams, Veterans History Project Service Summary. 2004. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.23595/#item-service_history. 

New York. Kings County. 1930 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com/. 

New York. New York County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com/. 

New York. Queens County. 1950 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com/. 

USS McCawley with U.S. Troops Climing Down… Photograph. June 14, 1943. Naval History and Heritage Command (80G-254933). https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nara-series/80-g/80-G-250000/80-G-254933.html. 

Secondary Sources

“Brooklyn Navy Yard: World War II Tour.” Turnstile Tours. Accessed November 1, 2026. https://turnstiletours.com/tour/brooklyn-navy-yard-world-war-ii-tour.

“A Contested Legacy: The Men of Montford Point and the Good War.” The National WWII Museum. Accessed November 1, 2025. www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/men-montford-point-and-good-war.

“Gardens of Brooklyn.” Brooklyn Public Library. Accessed November 1, 2026. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2011/07/19/gardens-brooklyn-part-ii. 

“Gertrude K. Vandermark.” Morrison Funeral Home. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.morrisonhome.com/obituaries/Gertrude-K-Vandermark?obId=42704213.

“James F McEnery.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, National Cemetery Administration. Accessed May 1, 2026. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/JAMESFMCENERY/BB78415.

“New York during World War II.” New York Almanack. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2024/01/new-york-city-during-world-war-two/.

“New York’s Famous Katz’s Deli Will Still ‘Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army’.” Military.com. Accessed April 27, 2026. https://www.military.com/history/new-yorks-famous-katzs-deli-will-still-send-salami-your-boy-army.html. 

“Sgt James F McEnery.” Find a Grave. Accessed November 1, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97371650/james_f-mcenery.


This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.