John J. Rumford
John J. Rumford, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps.
Private First Class • U.S. Marine Corps
1st Marine Division
Entered service from New Jersey • Died January 3, 1944
Buried at Beverly National Cemetery, Plot F1864K, Beverly, New Jersey
Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Introduction
Private First Class John J. Rumford was born on October 23, 1923, to Burroughs J. and Mary Rumford. His father was a veteran of World War I, having served in the United States Navy. After Burroughs Rumford passed away, his mother married U. Grant Carey of Clementon, NJ. John Rumford, known to friends and family as Jack, grew up in Lindenwold, NJ. He graduated from St. Lawrence Catholic School and was a member of the 1942 class of Lower Camden County Regional High School.
John Rumford enlisted in the United States Marine Corps two days after Pearl Harbor was attacked, on December 9, 1941. He trained at Camp Lejeune, NC, and had last written home on May 15, 1942. In June of that year, he was awarded a high school diploma in absentia from Lower Camden County Regional High School. Private Rumford went overseas with the 1st Marine Division in the summer of 1942 and saw action at Guadalcanal. Two of his step-brothers, Howard and Orville Carey, were serving in the Army at that time.
Corporal Rumford was killed in action on January 3, 1944, during the fighting at Cape Gloucester. His death was reported in the evening edition of the Camden Courier-Post on February 14, 1944. A Mass was said for him at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church on Main Street in Lindenwold, NJ, on February 15, 1944. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Carey, his step-father, U. Grant Carey, of 81 Watson Boulevard, Clementon, NJ, and several step-brothers and step-sisters. After the war, John Rumford was brought home aboard the USAT Dalton Victory. He was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ, early in 1949.
1942 Yearbook
Lower Camden County Regional High School — 1942
JOHN JAMES RUMFORD / Clementon / “Rum” “Are you kiddin’?” / Sportsmen’s Club (3), Home Economics Club (3, 4), Dancing Club (3).
Cpl. J. J. Rumford Funeral Saturday
Camden Courier-Post —
CPL. J. J. RUMFORD FUNERAL SATURDAY
Solemn high requiem Mass for Cpl. John J. Rumford will be celebrated Saturday at 9:30 a. m. in St. Lawrence R. C. Church, Lindenwold. Relatives and friends will meet at 8 a. m. in the funeral home at White Horse pike and Stone road, Lindenwold. Burial will be in the National cemetery, Beverly.
Corporal Rumford was killed on Cape Gloucester Jan. 3, 1944, at the age of 20. A graduate of St. Lawrence parochial school and Lower Regional High school, he lived at 81 Watson boulevard, Watsontown. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in December, 1941, and went to Guadalcanal with the First Marine division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, a presidential citation and Bronze Star.
Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Mary Carey, and stepfather, Grant Carey, of the Watsontown address. His father was the late Burrough J. Rumford.
Girls of Clementon Honor 4 War Heroes
Camden Courier-Post —
GIRLS OF CLEMENTON HONOR 4 WAR HEROES
A wreath dedicated to the memory of four Clementon heroes, including Lieut. Robert P. Davey, Jr., who lost his life recently in the Pacific war, was placed over the weekend by the Girls Social Corps of the Mothers Service Club of Clementon Borough and Vicinity on the Clementon Honor Roll board. It paid tribute also to John “Jack” Rumford, John Grimes and Thomas Dare.
The members who took part in the service are Kitty Lawrence, Doris Wescott and Constance Davis. The club is sponsoring a campaign to collect five-cent pieces to be sent to the England hospital, Atlantic City. The young women are planning a farewell party for Doris Welsh, who leaves March 9 to join the WAVES. They also plan to visit the Fort Dix Community Centre next Friday to take part in a dance, Mrs. Emma Davis, secretary of the mothers group, announced.
Photos
Left: Clementon, NJ, World War II memorial. Right: Beverly National Cemetery monument, Beverly, NJ.