On board the warship New Jersey — Aboard the Battleship New Jersey, surrounded by friends, family and the ship’s important legacy, John “Johnny Q” Quineso Sr. celebrated a milestone: his 100th birthday.
The World War II Navy veteran and longtime volunteer was honored last week with a special luncheon and tribute ceremony aboard the nation’s most decorated warship. The celebration was on Thursday. His actual birthday was January 24.
For Quineso, who has lived in South Jersey all his life, the celebration wasn’t just about longevity — it was about service that never stopped.
Aside from his three years serving in the South Pacific as a Radioman Second Class, the World War II veteran spent more than two decades volunteering at the Battleship Museum New Jersey, where he shared his experiences and taught students and visitors from around the world.
“I call Battleship New Jersey my second home,” Quineso said. “I’ve been a tour guide here for over 20 years. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life.”
For Quineso, teaching visitors about the Battleship New Jersey isn’t just about history, it’s about understanding the cost of freedom.
“To let them know that without the battleship, we may not be able to start building our freedom today,” he said.
Quineso joined the Navy right out of high school in 1943, when he was 19 years old. Trained as a radio operator, he served aboard LSM-302, a medium landing ship that transported troops, tanks and supplies to beaches across the Pacific. His service took him to Wake Island, Guam, Okinawa and Saipan during some of the fiercest battles of the war.
But one moment stands above all others. Off the coast of Guam, the crew was at that point preparing for a potentially devastating invasion of Japan with ships in the ocean as far as they could see. One night, while standing at the radio for midnight watch, Quineso received a message that would change the world.
“The Japanese have surrendered,” the message read. “The war was over,” he recalls. “I ran straight to the captain and knocked on his door.”
Then, all hell broke loose on the ship, Quineso said, as the crew cried and hugged each other.
“That was the most glorious moment for me. I will never forget it – it feels like it was yesterday.”
After returning to his home country, Quineso built a 43-year career as an IRS agent. But when Battleship New Jersey reopened as a museum in 2001, he found a new calling: educating future generations about sacrifice, service and history.
Marshall Spivak, CEO of the New Jersey Battleship Museum, said Quinesaw’s presence carries special weight as time pushes the history of World War II into the past.
“There’s still a certain amount of reverence when you talk to a World War II veteran,” he said. “It will only be a few more years that we will have World War II veterans in this world. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to tell their stories so their legacy lives on.”
At 100, Quineso remains sharp, warm and quick with a sense of humor. He often tells students that service helped shape his life.
“I went in as a young boy and came out as a young adult,” Quineso said. “That’s what service did for me.”
During last week’s ceremony, Quineso received the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, the state’s highest military award. For Quineso, this recognition is meaningful, but being on board, telling stories and connecting with people remains the best reward.