John Borneman served as a fighter pilot during World War I. He was a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, the United Church of Christ Theological Seminary, and also studied at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Buffalo. From 1928 to 1941 he pastored Bacon Memorial United Presbyterian Church in Niagara Falls, New York. Serving in the Philippine Islands during World War II, he was wounded three times in the retreat from Bataan, was captured at the fall of the Philippine Islands, survived the infamous Bataan Death March, and spent nearly three years as Prisoner of War. He returned after the war to testify in the War Crimes trials, and participated in efforts to recover the bodies of American dead. He retired as a Brigadier General in 1951 after 21 years of military service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
60th Coast Artillery Regiment (AA)Action Date:
April 15, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 225 (October 5, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps) John K. Borneman (ASN: 0-266084), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Chaplain with the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), in action at Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 15 April 1942. When the first shell of a heavy enemy artillery barrage killed or wounded many men at the west portal of Malinta Tunnel, Chaplain Borneman immediately went to their aid. After carrying one of the wounded to the hospital, he led a rescue party with nine litters back to the portal. There he assisted in the search for casualties while the shelling continued unabated and then returned to aid the over-taxed hospital staff by preparing the casualties for treatment and administering anesthetics to the most painfully wounded, working steadily until the following morning. By his gallantry in rescuing and caring for the wounded, Chaplain Borneman upheld the finest traditions of the Corps of Chaplains.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
60th Coast Artillery Regiment (AA)Action Date:
May 6, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 225 (October 5, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in Lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps) John K. Borneman (ASN: 0-266084), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Chaplain with the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), in action at Fort Mills, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942. When several men of Battery C were wounded during continuing heavy enemy artillery bombardments and dive bombing attacks, Chaplain Borneman, 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), left his position of safety to search for these men. Despite the bursting bombs and shells all about him, he traversed the entire battery Infantry line to locate and aid helpless casualties. By his courageous acts and consuming regard for the welfare of his comrades, Chaplain Borneman made a memorable contribution to the gallant defense of Corregidor. Lieutenant Colonel Borneman’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.