Posted 26 October 2007 || Last Updated 3 March 2008

Looking for specific information on a relative, or local personality,
who was in the Philippines during World War II?

The information I have is specific to the 4th Marine in the Philippines from late November 1941 through early May 1942.

  • Have been told several times I have the wrong rank(s), by professionals, amateur's and relatives.
  • They have gotten their information from a source compiled after the war (Repatriation Lists, Letter from the Service) which reflected promotions (even posthumous promotions) earned after the surrender.
  • If I use a rank, it is the last rank on the last 4th Marine Muster Roll where the man's name appears.
If your ask me for specific information concerning one of the men, you will receive what "good" information is available off the Muster Roll concerning them. I do not give out information on judicial/non-judicial punishment (yes, even heroes screw up from time to time). I have some information about their departure from Shanghai, China, and a little on each of its members, but not much. I also have limited information on their internment by the Japanese Imperial Army, and events subsequent to their release and repatriation.

However, there are 2 places you can ask the rapidly dwindling number of survivors:

  1. The Quan, George Wallace, Editor.
  2. EX-POW Bulletin, Cheryl Cerbone, Editor.
In your email to both publications give:
  • the individuals name;
  • your relationship to them;
  • what military unit (rank and service number if known), or civilian organization they were with;
    • if they were a child during captivity, say so, and give information related to their parents, if known;
  • prison camps they were in, if known;
  • any additional information about the individual you have that might help jog a memory;
  • both your email and snail mail addresses, as not all members use the web or email.

You can check the official records (though limited) yourself:
US National Archives & Records Administration
  • First page - select Genealogy/ Personal History subsction Prisoners of War
  • Second page - select World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946.
  • Third page - Type in Last Name and First Name, with only a space between (no comma) and click SEARCH button
Defense Prisoner of War / Missing Personnel Office
Select category from list at top of page.

Please, do not vouch for anyone who wasn't truly there.
Do not be fooled. Do not let them steal your valor.

The POW Network

At present we have 11 names of individuals (reported through death notices)
who are listed on neither the Official Muster Rolls, nor the Official Repatriation
Lists as members of the 4th Marines.

6 who do not appear on the Muster Roles, but may have been assigned to the 4th BN.
4 of whom do not appear in the National Archives database at all.

ALLEN, ALBERT
(USN, Em2c - possibly 4th BN)

BENNETT, THOMAS W.
(not on Muster Roll, not on Repat./Lib. List, not in NARA Database)

BUTZ, ALVA L.
(Civilian detained at Camp Holmes, Baguio, Luzon, Philippines)

CRAWFORD, ROBERT C.
(USA PFC - possibly 4th BN)

FAST, CHESTER K.
(USN Corpsman - possibly 4th BN)

MARTETTE, MAXWELL A.
(not on Muster Roll, not on Repat./Lib. List, not in NARA Database)

McKENNA, CHARLES
(not on Muster Roll, not on Repat./Lib. List, not in NARA Database)

NORTHCOTT, THOMAS
(USN, S2c - possibly 4th BN)

PENDLEBERRY, DWIGHT S.
(USA SSGT - possibly 4th BN)

SCHIMMEL, EUGENE R.
(not on Muster Roll, not on Repat./Lib. List, not in NARA Database)

If you knew these men, can show proof of name change, or other evidence of actual POW status and assigned/attached to the 4th Marines, I'd be happy to correct the record.

Since putting up the site I have been contacted by a few folks posing as relatives of Ex-POWs, but were not. A couple, with to much time on their hands, just trying to screw up the lists. A couple others, not sure, who may have been just looking to become Ex-POW's.

I have also been contacted by good folks who have aided people posing as EX-POWs, asking why that person's name did not appear on any of the lists on this site.

Sadly, PHONIES and WANNABE'S are not a new experience;
an ego to be boosted, or a nickel to be made.

(For every Army & Air Force Special Operations Member there has ever been, a 1,000 claim to have been. For every Marine Recon Member there has ever been, 500 claim to have been. For every Navy SEAL there has ever been, there are 3,000 who claim to have been. Usually drunk or stoned when they make the claim, and trying to mooch a drink or a toke off you.)

Copyright © 2007-2008, Jack E. Turner. All rights reserved