Navy Federal Credit Union

Samuel Barbour graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1938. Captured after the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942, he survived the sinking of a Japanese “Hell Ship” on December 15, 1944, and swam to shore. He was placed on a second “Hell Ship” which was also bombed, but he escaped injury and was transported to a Prisoner of War camp in Japan where he died as the result of beriberi and pneumonia.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    23d Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    1942

    United 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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery) Samuel Llewellyn Barbour, Jr. (ASN: 0-21218), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 23d Field Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in action against the enemy at Bataan, Philippine Islands, in January 1942. Captain Barbour’s battery, with the rest of the battalion, was destroyed by enemy aerial, artillery and infantry action, and all his of guns and the majority of his vehicles were destroyed. Captain Barbour was hit in the leg by a shell fragment and severely wounded. While still under heavy enemy artillery and infantry fire, Captain Barbour, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, drove a command car over open terrain picking up wounded men and taking them to cover. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Barbour, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    23d Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    1942

    American Battle Monuments Commission

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain (Field Artillery) Samuel Llewellyn Barbour, Jr. (ASN: 0-21218), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 23d Field Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in the Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Barbour, 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:

    1942 – Died in Captivity

    Major (Field Artillery) Samuel Llewellyn Barbour, Jr. (ASN: 0-21218), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall the Philippine Islands in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death in captivity on or about 13 February 1945.