Honor Mission
Corporal John E. Edwinson Jr., KIA
U.S. Marine Corps – WWII

Wilmington, Massachusetts
April 26, 2025

The family of USMC KIA/MIA Corporal John Edwinson Jr. has requested our presence at the wake and interment of their long lost family member.

After 83 years, Corporal Edwinson is finally coming home, to be re-united and laid to rest along side his family.

Born in Lowell and raised in Wilmington, John enlisted in the Marine Corps on 22 October 1940 before the United States’ entry into WWII.

Serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and initially stationed in Samoa, his platoon was called up to reinforce the beleaguered 1st Marine Division battling the Japanese on Guadalcanal. Landing there on 18 September, his platoon was ambushed by machine gun fire on the 24th costing the lives of 10 Marines with another two dozen gravely wounded.

Buried quickly by fellow Marines and meant to be discovered and re-interred more permanently, the location of the gravesites were somehow overlooked after hostilities ceased and remained un-located to search teams in 1947 and 1949.

In 2016, additional remains were unearthed leading to  further DNA analysis with Corporal Edwinson being positively identified  on 11 September 2024.

Last year exactly to the month, the Patriot Guard Riders had the honor of participating  in the repatriation of CPL Edwinson’s fellow Marine, CPL Manuel Pimentel of Medford, who was a member of the same unit, killed in the same ambush, and whose remains were recovered under the same circumstances.

WAKE/FUNERAL:
DATE: Saturday, 26 April 2025
(We will stand for no more than two hours.)
AT:  Nichols Funeral Home
187 Middlesex Ave (Rte 62)
Wilmington, MA 01887

STAGING LOCATION:
The parking area along the right side and to the rear (on the right) of:
Dunkins  Donuts
357 Middlesex Ave
Wilmington, MA 01887
STAGING TIME:  8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
BRIEFING/KSU: 9:30

INTERMENT:
Wildwood Cemetery
(legally listed as)
233 Middlesex Ave
(but entrances on)
Wildwood Street
Wilmington, MA 01887

Ride Captain: Steve Vieira
srvnam69@comcast.net