John Joseph Gilligan, Jr.

John Joseph Gilligan, Jr., born June 17, 1923 at Newark, New Jersey.

Marine Corps career
Gilligan enlisted, in the Marine Corps Reserve January 8, 1942 and served at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Quantico, Virginia.

Awarded the Silver Star
Private Gilligan was mortally wounded in action while serving with the First Marine Raider Battalion at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, on August 7, 1942 and died the next day. For his heroism under fire, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Namesake
Gilligan (DE-508) was launched February 22, 1944 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newark, New Jersey; sponsored by Mrs. John J. Gilligan, the namesake's mother; and commissioned May 12, 1944, Lt. Comdr. Carl E. Bull, USNR, commanding.