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James
Patrick Sinnott
Devereux
POW (WWII)
February 20, 1903

–

August 5, 1988

James Devereux entered Marine Corps service as an enlisted man in 1923, and was commissioned two years later. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (China)

    Action Date:

    December 23, 1941 – September 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Major James Patrick Sinnott Devereux (MCSN: 0-3965), United States Marine Corps, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Wake Island on 23 December 1941, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control at the end of the war.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    1st Defense Battalion

    Division:

    Naval Air Station, Wake Island

    Action Date:

    December 7 – 22, 1941
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 301 (April 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major James Patrick Sinnott Devereux (MCSN: 0-3965), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished and heroic conduct in the line of his profession, as Commanding Officer of the FIRST Marine Defense Battalion, Naval Air Station, Wake Island. Major Devereux was responsible for directing defenses of that post during the Japanese siege from 7 through 22 December 1941, against impossible odds. Major Devereux’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.