Two-time Navy Cross winner, Capt. John Yancey, by E. Co. Platoon Leader J. E. (Ned) Dolan
I got to know John Yancey fairly well. He was a reserve 1stLt who was added to the units of the 6th Marines when we left Camp Lejeune to go to Camp Pendleton where we became part of the 7th Marines. His reserve unit had been on summer training when they were told they were not going home. He became a platoon leader in E/2/7 and I, also a 1stLt was assigned as their Naval Gunfire Spotter. We didn't spend too much time together after landing at Inchon as the 7th was soon out of Naval gunfire range. I was detached and assigned to the 187th Airborne to provide them with support as they secured Kimpo Peninsula.
I got together again with E/2/7 at Ascom City where we holed up in a damaged brewery prior to loading out on a SCAJAP LST for Wonson. While on that trip, it lasted somthing like 12-14 days, the officers has a long time to chat around the wardroom table as we had really nothing to do except to check on our troops and their equipment. John Yancey told us about his bootlegging in Little Rock, his home town, and wondered whether his business would be still there when he returned. He told how he would make trips to Tennessee, which was wet, and bring the booze back. He asserted he even got escorts from the Little Rock police to protect his deliveries. Of course the cops got some refreshment. I, nor did anyone of the other six company officers, have any reason to doubt him.
After I was carried off after being shot I didn't see him again until he arrived at the hospiatl at Yokosuka. He had been shot through the neck and his jaw was also broken when at the reservoir. He and another lieutenant who had a leg wound on the ward would stop by my room and chat as they left for the officer's club. That was the last time I saw him (late 1950).
Semper fi,
Ned Dolan Capt., USMC