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As a 17-year-old college bound high school senior with WW II raging around the globe, Sugarmill Woods resident John Auble enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps V-12 program, which consisted of 18 months of college followed by officer candidates' school.
Upon graduation from Bolles Military School in Jacksonville, Florida, Auble returned to his native Ohio to attend Denison University. However, with friends and former classmates at war, he requested transfer from the V-12 program to active duty. After his request was denied, Auble intentionally flunked out of the program by not taking his final exams.
Thus, in November 1943, 18-year-old Auble found himself in San Diego as a Marine recruit. Shortly after completing boot camp, he was assigned to the newly formed 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California in February 1944.
Following months of intensive training at Camp Pendleton and the island of Hawaii, the division deployed to Guam in January 1945 to stage for the assault on the tiny, but soon to be deadly, island of Iwo Jima.
In early February 1945, Auble's 5th Marine Division departed Guam for Iwo Jima in an armada of ships. With 4th and 5th Marine divisions comprising the assault force and 3rd Marine Division in reserve, the first assault wave landed on Iwo Jima on February 19 under the cover of an intense aerial and naval bombardment.
Auble's unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, followed the first wave. By mid-afternoon, Auble's unit began the push inland. Receiving heavy Japanese rifle and machinegun fire from all sides, their advance was measured by feet.
On February 23, Auble earned his first of two Purple Hearts. While standing in his foxhole, a sniper's bullet smashed into the right side of his jaw, exiting the left side of his face. After his team leader controlled the bleeding, Auble and two other wounded Marines braved enemy fire to walk back to the beach for medical assistance where he was placed aboard an LST until transported to a hospital ship the next day.
After five days aboard the hospital ship, Auble requested that he be returned to his unit. From February 28 to March 16, he survived the bitter fighting without a scratch. However, March 16 proved to be a fateful day with Auble earning his second Purple Heart.
Seeing a fellow Marine fall from a gunshot wound to the leg, Auble, rushed to his aid. Placing his head and shoulders under the fallen Marine's buttocks, Auble stood up with him on his shoulders. Immediately, a bullet tore into the right side of Auble's chest causing both to fall in a heap.
Despite enemy fire, a Marine buddy moved to Auble's side. After providing first aid, he left to seek medical help. Returning to Auble's side, his buddy remarked, "You just watch me get shot". With those words still on his lips, a bullet ripped through his torso severing his spine. Mortally wounded, Auble's buddy died straddled across his legs.
Litter bearers, using the cover of a tank, ultimately rescued Auble and his wounded charge. Subsequently, Auble was evacuated by troop transport ship to a military hospital in Honolulu. After four weeks of hospitalization, he was transferred to Oak Hill Hospital in California. After further treatment, evaluation and convalescent leave, Corporal Auble was discharged from the Marine Corps with two Purple Hearts at age 19.
Auble returned to college under the G.I. Bill, graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in business administration. He pursued a career in industry until 1959 when the Erie County, Ohio Board of County Commissioners appointed him as the Clerk of Court, following the incumbent's death. After being re-elected three times, he resigned from the office in 1970, ultimately retiring in 1985 as the Personnel Director for Erie County.
Moving to Sugarmill Woods in 1987, Auble has been an active member of the North Suncoast Republican Club serving as president and as a director. A Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and proud Marine, Auble is enjoying his golden years with his wife Ellen.
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