Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
O.
Spears
, Jr.
POW (WWII)

Home:

, 

Tennessee

William Spears was a member of the crew of the U.S.S. Pope which was badly damaged and subsequently sank on March 1, 1942. He and the other survivors floated in life rafts or in floatation jackets throughout the night and into the following day when they were picked up and captured by the Japanese.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Celebes Island & Japan)

    Action Date:

    March 2, 1942 – August 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade William O. Spears, Jr. (NSN: 0-81028), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after his ship, the U.S.S. POPE (DD-225), was sunk on 1 March 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in August 1945.