Leathernecks Say Goodbye to Alumnus John Moon

Thursday, October 31, 2019

The World War II veteran was the oldest known survivor of the Battle of Iowa Jima.

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois University alumnus John Moon passed away Tuesday (November 29) at the age of 103. The World War II veteran and former Leatherneck football and track and field student-athlete was the oldest known survivor of the Battle of Iowa Jima.

Moon graduated from Western Illinois in 1939 and immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served in the 5th Division. After the war, he returned to Macomb to open and operate S & J Café and a local candy shop.

He became a social media sensation in 2017 after a clip of him singing the national anthem at a Western basketball game went viral. Moon was 100-years old at the time.

Arrangements are pending at Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home in Macomb.

Western Illinois Athletics would like to extend its condolences to the family of Mr. John Moon.

He was a Western alum and student-athlete, a WWII veteran, and the best anthem singer we've ever had.

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— WIU Leathernecks (@WIUAthletics) October 31, 2019

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The World War II veteran was the oldest known survivor of the Battle of Iowa Jima.

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