The Sniper Who Changed Warfare: The Story of Second Lieutenant John George’s Victory at Point Cruz
On January 22, 1943, Second Lieutenant John George of the 132nd Infantry Regiment found himself crouching in the remains of a Japanese bunker on Guadalcanal. At 9:17 AM, he peered through a scope—a piece of equipment many of his fellow officers had ridiculed for weeks—and took aim at a Japanese sniper 240 yards away. This was no ordinary rifle. It was a Winchester Model 70 with a Lyman Alaskan scope, a weapon George had fought to obtain, and one that would soon prove its worth in the harshest of jungles.
At just 27 years old, with no confirmed kills and facing a dangerous Japanese sniper threat, George was about to change the way his fellow soldiers viewed sniping and marksmanship. His rifle, mocked as a “toy” by others, would soon silence the enemy in one of the most intense sniper duels of the Pacific Theater.
A Rifle, a Dream, and a Soldier’s Determination
John George’s story begins far from the front lines of Guadalcanal, in Illinois, where he had been the state champion marksman. Winning the state championship in 1939, he earned recognition for his ability to hit targets at incredible distances—something that would later become crucial in the unforgiving jungle of Guadalcanal. His training, however, would be put to the test in a way he never anticipated.
The military issued every soldier in the 132nd Infantry Regiment the standard M1 Garand rifle, a semi-automatic weapon that was effective in combat but lacked the precision and range of a scoped rifle. But George, a man with a deep passion for precision shooting, had purchased his own rifle, the Winchester Model 70. When he unpacked the rifle at Camp Forest, Tennessee, the armorer questioned its purpose, asking if it was meant for hunting deer or Germans. George explained it was meant for the Japanese, but his request to bring it into service was initially dismissed.
Though George’s rifle had been delayed for months, it finally arrived at Guadalcanal in late December 1942—just as the 132nd Infantry was engaging in fierce combat. Despite the skepticism of his commanding officer, Captain Morris, George kept the rifle with him, knowing its potential. His weapon was heavier and slower than the Garand, but he was determined to put it to use.
A Critical Mission: Snipers in the Jungle
By January 1943, the fighting around Point Cruz had escalated. The Japanese had 11 snipers operating in the dense groves of trees surrounding the area. In just three days, the Japanese snipers had killed 14 American soldiers from George’s battalion. George’s unit was struggling to make headway in the thick jungle, where visibility was limited and ambushes were frequent.
The battalion commander summoned George one night to discuss a possible solution. The Japanese snipers were wreaking havoc, and the unit needed someone who could effectively engage them. George’s rifle was put to the test—could it actually hit a target at long range, under combat conditions? George was given until morning to prove it.
Proving His Worth
The following morning, George prepared his rifle. He spent the night cleaning the weapon and ensuring it was ready for action. The Winchester had been packed in cosmoline for the ocean voyage, and the scope had to be checked and recalibrated. George loaded the rifle with hunting ammunition, and by dawn on January 22, he was positioned in the ruins of a Japanese bunker with a clear view of the banyan trees where the enemy snipers had been hiding.
The banyan trees stood 240 yards away, their massive trunks offering perfect cover for Japanese soldiers. George knew that the snipers often operated in pairs—one as a shooter, the other as a spotter. He had to be patient and methodical. Through his Lyman Alaskan scope, he scanned the trees for any movement. The jungle was filled with noise—birds, insects, artillery—but George was focused. He searched for the slightest shift in the branches.
At 9:17 AM, George spotted a slight movement in the branches. A Japanese sniper had shifted position, and George zeroed in on the dark shape. With his years of marksmanship experience, George knew how to control his breathing and steady his hands. He squeezed the trigger.
The shot rang out, and the sniper jerked and fell. The body tumbled 90 feet to the ground below. George worked the bolt of his rifle, chambering another round. He didn’t take his eyes off the tree, waiting for any sign of the spotter or another sniper.
A Duel in the Jungle
The first kill was just the beginning. George knew the Japanese snipers worked in pairs, and he suspected that there would be another one nearby. He scanned the surrounding banyan trees and, at 9:43, found the second sniper. This one was lower, retreating down the tree. George fired, and the second sniper fell to the ground.
By noon, George had killed five Japanese snipers—each shot fired with precision and control. His reputation among his fellow soldiers quickly changed. The rifle that had been mocked as a “toy” was now seen as an invaluable tool for eliminating the sniper threat. Word spread through the battalion, and even those who had ridiculed George’s rifle now asked if they could watch him work. George refused—he knew the dangers of drawing attention.
By 3:00 PM, the Japanese snipers had adapted. They stopped moving during daylight hours, likely realizing that their positions were compromised. George spent the afternoon scanning the trees but saw nothing. However, as dusk approached, a sniper bullet struck a sandbag near his head. It was clear the Japanese were now actively hunting him.
The Final Showdown
January 24th began with heavy rain, but by 8:45 AM, visibility improved, and George resumed his hunt. At 9:12 AM, he spotted the ninth sniper, positioned in a palm tree 190 yards away. The shot was fired, and the sniper fell. But the next day, things took a turn for the worse. George encountered the last three snipers, who had learned from their comrades’ mistakes. They knew George’s tactics and his rifle.
In a tense, high-stakes moment, George made a crucial decision. Instead of taking the easy shot on the exposed sniper in the palm tree, George carefully observed the surroundings. He identified a second sniper positioned in a different tree, waiting to counter any move George made. He used his knowledge of the enemy’s tactics to outsmart them, taking both snipers down with two quick shots.
By the end of the day, George had killed 11 Japanese snipers, all with his civilian Winchester Model 70 rifle. His success not only silenced the snipers but also demonstrated the precision and effectiveness of individual marksmanship in combat. His contribution was invaluable, and it cleared the Point Cruz groves, allowing the battalion to advance.
The Aftermath: Recognition and Legacy
John George’s success with his Winchester Model 70 was a testament to his skill, but it also demonstrated the changing nature of warfare. While the army was moving towards more standardized weapons and tactics, George’s story highlighted the importance of individual expertise and the power of a carefully chosen weapon.
George was later promoted to Captain and tasked with training new snipers. He formed the first sniper section within the battalion, teaching other soldiers the techniques he had mastered in Guadalcanal. His legacy was cemented not just by his 11 kills, but by the broader impact of his tactics and leadership.
After the war, George continued to serve in various roles, including as a consultant and lecturer on African affairs. His book, Shots Fired in Anger, published in 1947, remains a classic among military historians and firearms enthusiasts, providing detailed accounts of his experiences with sniper operations in the Pacific.
John George’s story is a powerful reminder of the value of precision, training, and patience in combat. It is also a story of a soldier who, with his rifle and his skills, changed the course of a battle, proving that a well-trained marksman can be just as effective as an entire battalion in the right circumstances.
George died on January 3, 2009, at the age of 90. His Winchester Model 70, which had proved so effective in the jungle of Guadalcanal, was donated to the National Firearms Museum in Virginia, where it continues to stand as a symbol of skill, dedication, and the crucial role of snipers in modern warfare.
