Carmen J. Lomurno
Carmen Jerome Lomurno
Rank: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Serial: 434803
Unit: Headquarters, Second Battalion, 21st Marines Regiment, 3rd Marine Division
Entered service from: New Jersey
Died: , Iwo Jima
Burial: New St. Mary’s Cemetery, 515 West Browning Road, Bellmawr, NJ
Awards: Purple Heart
Biography
Corporal Carmen Jerome Lomurno was born Jerome Carmen Lomurno in 1921 to Dominick and Fannie LoMurno. His father passed in 1925, his mother in 1939. Jerome Lomurno lived at 1037 South 5th Street in Camden, NJ, where he had been employed by the New York Shipbuilding Company in Camden before joining the Marine Corps on July 27, 1942. When he joined the Marines, he enlisted under the name Carmen Jerome Lomurno. He went overseas as a member of the 3rd Marine Division in February of 1943. He saw action on Bougainville, Guam, and other Pacific islands, before taking part in the landings on Iwo Jima in 1945.
The Third Marine Division landed on Iwo Jima on February 24, and the next morning launched an attack in its zone between the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions. The 3rd Marine Division faced well-organized and determined enemy resistance. The terrain, ideal for defense, was heavily fortified by pillboxes, caves, and covered artillery emplacements. Progress was slow and casualties heavy during the first few days of fighting. The Division slowly pushed the enemy back and by March 3 had severed the last enemy east-west artery of communication by occupying positions overlooking the sea. The 3rd Marine Division secured its zone of action on March 11 and then initiated intensive patrolling and mopping-up operations.
Corporal Carmen Lomurno was killed in action on Iwo Jima on March 2, 1945. On March 12, 1945, Corporal Lomurno was heard on the radio from Iwo Jima, relating his experiences of being lost in a cave with an officer and another marine and being listed as missing for two days.
Jerome Carmen Lomurno was brought home to New Jersey after the war. He was buried at New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, NJ on January 3, 1948, where he rests next to his parents. He was survived by his sister Mildred, of 1037 South 5th Street, Camden, NJ, three other sisters, Mamie, Mary, and Rose, and four brothers, Frank, Peter, John, and Daniel, who was in the service when Carmen Lomurno was killed in action.
Photos
Grave marker of Cpl. Carmen Jerome Lomurno, New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr, NJ.
Cpl. J. C. Lomurno Funeral Monday
Camden Courier-Post —
Military services for Marine Cpl. Jerome C. Lomurno, 1037 South Fifth street, who was killed on Iwo Jima March 2, 1945, will be conducted Monday by First Lt. Joseph Bottalico post 4, Italian-American War Veterans.
Solemn requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 a. m. Monday in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R. C. Church. Burial will be in New St. Mary’s cemetery, Bellmawr.
Friends may call at the residence Sunday night.
Corporal Lomurno enlisted in the Marines July 27, 1942, and saw action at Bougainville, Guam and other Pacific islands. Before enlisting he was employed at the New York Shipyard.
Surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Mamie Mancini, Philadelphia, and Mrs. Mary De Falco, Mrs. Rose Iezzi and Miss Mildred Lomurno, all of Camden, and four brothers, Frank, Philadelphia; Peter, New York, and John and Daniel, both of Camden.