ABOARD BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY — Aboard the Battleship New Jersey, surrounded by associates, household and the ship’s necessary legacy, John “Johnny Q” Quinesso Sr. marked a milestone: his one hundredth birthday.
The World Warfare II Navy veteran and longtime volunteer was honored final week with a particular luncheon and recognition ceremony on the nation’s most adorned battleship. The celebration was Thursday; his precise birthday was Jan. 24.
For Quinesso, a lifelong South Jersey resident, the celebration was not nearly longevity — it’s about service that has by no means stopped.
Aside from serving three years within the South Pacific as a Radioman 2nd Class, the WWII veteran has spent greater than twenty years volunteering on the Battleship New Jersey Museum, sharing his experiences and educating college students and guests from around the globe.
“I name the Battleship New Jersey my second residence,” Quinesso mentioned. “I’ve been a tour information right here for over 20 years. It’s one of the vital fantastic issues I’ve ever completed in my life.”
For Quinesso, instructing guests in regards to the Battleship New Jersey is about greater than historical past — it’s about understanding the price of freedom.
“To allow them to know that with out the battleship, we could not have the ability to begin constructing our freedom at the moment,” he mentioned.
Quinesso joined the Navy straight out of highschool in 1943, at 19 years outdated. Educated as a radio operator, he served aboard the LSM-302, a medium touchdown ship that delivered troops, tanks and provides to seashores throughout the Pacific. His service took him to Wake Island, Guam, Okinawa and Saipan throughout a few of the warfare’s most intense combating.
One second, nevertheless, stands above all others. Off the coast of Guam, the crew at that time was getting ready for a doubtlessly devastating invasion of Japan with ships on the ocean so far as he might see. One evening, whereas standing the midnight watch on the radio, Quinesso acquired a transmission that may change the world.
The message learn, ‘The Japanese had surrendered. The warfare is over,’” he recalled. “I ran proper right down to the captain and banged on his door.”
Quinesso mentioned after that each one hell broke free on the ship, with the crew crying and hugging one another.
“That was my most superb second. I’ll always remember it — it appears like yesterday.”
After returning residence, Quinesso constructed a 43-year profession as an IRS agent. However when the Battleship New Jersey reopened as a museum in 2001, he discovered a brand new calling: educating future generations about sacrifice, service and historical past.
Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum, mentioned Quinesso’s presence carries a particular weight as time pushes the historical past of WWII additional into the previous.
“There’s nonetheless a sure reverence if you speak to a World Warfare II veteran,” he mentioned. “There’ll solely be just a few extra years the place now we have World Warfare II vets on this world. That’s why it’s so necessary that we proceed to inform their tales so their legacy lives on.”
At 100, Quinesso stays sharp, heat and fast with humor. He usually tells college students that service helped form his life.
“I went in as a younger boy and got here out a grown-up younger man,” Quinesso mentioned. “That’s what service did for me.”
Throughout final week’s ceremony, Quinesso acquired New Jersey’s the Distinguished Service Medal, the state’s highest army award. For Quinesso, the popularity is significant — however being on the ship, telling tales and connecting with folks stays one of the best reward.
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