DOB/DOD: November 27, 1920 (Norwalk, CT) – May 3, 2010 (Norwalk, CT); 89 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Jeanne D. McConaghie on August 5, 1944 in Stamford, CT. Married to Ann M. Zeoch O’Hara (1919-1983) on March 9, 1952 in New Haven, CT
CHILDREN: Two sons, Richard T. O’Hara (1941-) and James R. Cullen (1954-). One daughter, Betty A. Cullen McManamon (1956-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 15 Mills Street and 146 Stuart Avenue, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: January 5, 1942
SERVICE NUMBER: 336053
DISCHARGE: September 10, 1945
UNIT: Company D, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
FAMILY: Born to Dudley C. (1889-1940) and Gertrude W. Johnston Cullen (1894-1983). Two brothers, Charles D. (1918-1996) and Raymond C. (1923-2010).
CIRCUMSTANCES: Wounded in action on December 25, 1944, during the invasion of New Britain Island (now part of Papua New Guinea), South Pacific. Received the Purple Heart Medal.
From The Norwalk Hour October 31, 1942
JOHN CULLEN WRITES FROM GUADALCANAL
Two Norwalk boys who were among the first to take part in the American landings on the Solomon Islands have communicated with their families. They are neighbors on Mills Street. John Rutledge Cullen, son of Mrs. Gergruede Cullen, is on Guadalcanal with the U.S. Marines. He recently wrote: “The Marines are holding their own here. When Allen Eckert gets home, he can tell plenty. I’d like some vegetables from Joe Carr’s garden on Mills Street. We’re hoping the Army can send us some help.” (Editor’s note: The letter was written before Army reinforcements arrived on Guadalcanal). Allan Eckert, the Norwalker who can “tell plenty,” was a seaman on the U.S. Navy cruiser Vincennes, which was one of three cruisers sunk while screening the Marine landings on Guadalcanal. He had already notified his mother that he was safe but did not mention the fate of the boat. In a second letter, he writes: “I think you must have read that my boat was sunk. I didn’t get a scratch. I’m now in Hawaii, doing chores.”
From The Norwalk Hour January 31, 1944
Mrs. Gertrude Cullen, Mills Street, was notified by the War Department last night that her son, Private John Rutledge Cullen, of the U.S. Marines, has been wounded in action. It is presumed that the young Marine sustained injuries in New Guinea, as it was from that point that his most recent correspondence had been received. Marine Cullen enlisted on January 3, 1942, and received his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and New River, North Carolina. He landed with the Marines at Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. He later had a brief rest period in Australia and was then assigned to New Guinea. His two brothers are also in the armed forces. They are Raymond Cullen of the United States Army, who had his training at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, in January 1943, and Fireman Second Class Charles Dudley Cullen, who is in the Navy in the Pacific.
From The Norwalk Hour July 10, 1944
Recipient of the Purple Heart is Private John Rutledge Cullen, U.S. Marine Corps. He is the son of Mrs. Gertrude Cullen of Mills Street and enlisted on January 3, 1942. After receiving his basic training, he was sent to the South Pacific and landed with a detachment of Marines at Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942.
From The Norwalk Hour May 5, 2010
John Rutledge Cullen, age 89 and husband of the late Ann (Zeock) Cullen, died peacefully at the Notre Dame Convalescent Home on Monday, May 3, 2010. John was born in Norwalk on November 27, 1920, the son of the late Charles and Gertrude (Johnston) Cullen. As a youth he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps working in Centennial, Wyoming from 1936-1939. From 1942 to 1945, he served his country during WWII in the 1st Marine Division, serving on Guadalcanal, and was awarded the Purple Heart in May 1944 on Russell Island. John worked for SNET and was retired from Geiger’s (Parcel’s) Garden Center in Westport. John is survived by his three children, Elizabeth “Betty” McManamon and her husband John of Fairfield, Richard T. O’Hara and his wife Susan of Warren, CT, and James Cullen of Great Barrington, MA, a brother, Raymond Cullen and his wife Lea of Norwalk, five grandchildren; Thomas John O’Hara and his wife Stacy, Jeffery O’Hara and his wife Tracey of CT, Jay McManamon and his wife Allison of Dedham, MA, Glen McManamon of Bridgeport and Scott McManamon of Fairfield, 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brother, Charles D. Cullen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 6, at 10 AM in the Chapel at Notre Dame Convalescent Home, 76 West Rocks Rd., Norwalk. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Notre Dame Convalescent Home. The Magner Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Unknown Section and plot number
Photo pending
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