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The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce John F. Andrews of Arvada, Colorado as a recipient of one of the Foundation’s 2026 Annual Awards. He will be honored at the Annual Awards Dinner on April 25 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.
Andrews received The James Webb Award for “Our Desperate Hour - Novels of the Great War,” a historical fiction novel focused on a father’s search for his estranged son during WWI.
Andrews was born in Chicago and earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Minnesota, followed by advanced training in Michigan and Chicago. He built a distinguished career in medicine, maintaining multiple board certifications while practicing for many years in Wisconsin, and later continued his service as a volunteer firefighter and medical officer in Montana. His writing draws on classic works of military literature and reflects his core values of honor, integrity, and compassion.
Andrews is among 20 recipients recognized this year for their exceptional portrayal of Marine Corps history, traditions, and culture across a range of disciplines, including photography, documentary filmmaking, journalism, poetry, nonfiction, and fiction writing.
"Through their exceptional talent and authenticity, these outstanding writers, artists, and photographers explore the rich history, traditions, and culture of the Marine Corps,” said MajGen James W. Lukeman, USMC (Ret), the Foundation's President and CEO. "We are privileged to highlight their remarkable work at our Foundation's Annual Awards and hope that their example inspires others to tell the story of our Marine Corps.”
Annual Awards recipients are selected by a panel of accomplished Marines and civilian experts. Past honorees include celebrated novelists, bestselling authors, national columnists, network producers, and active-duty Marines whose work reflects a deep commitment to accurately telling the Marine Corps story, often through firsthand experience in challenging and dangerous environments.
Each award recipient receives a gold medallion, a commemorative brick along the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park pathway adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, and a cash prize.
The full list of award recipients is available on the Foundation’s website. For interviews with award recipients, please contact Haylee Sigafoose at hsigafoose@susandavis.com.