Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Wade
Rushton
Cothran
Jr.
POW (WWII) KIA
1896-11-28

–

1944-12-15

Born:

Greenwood

, 

South Carolina

Home:

Greenwood

, 

South Carolina

Buried: 

Greenwood

, 

South Carolina

Cemetery:

Magnolia Cemetery (Cenotaph

Wade Cothran graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of November 1918. Captured after the fall of Bataan, he survived the infamous Death March, but later died on a Japanese “Hell Ship” en route to Japan.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    Luzon Force

    Action Date:

    1942
    Unites States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Field Artillery) Wade Rushton Cothran, Jr. (ASN: 0-890014), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Aide de Camp to Major General Edwin King, serving with Headquarters Company, Luzon Force, in action against the enemy in the defense of Luzon, the Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Cothran, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    April 1942 – Died in Captivity

    Major (Field Artillery) Wade Rushton Cothran, Jr. (ASN: 0-890014), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Bataan, Philippine Islands in April 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.