Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Theodore
Kalakuka
POW (WWII) KIA
1905-04-11

–

1942-10-31

Born:

Jersey City

, 

New Jersey

Home:

Scranton

, 

Pennsylvania

Buried: 

Manila

, 

Philippine Islands

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila

Theodore Kalakuka’s father emigrated from Russia to the U.S. in the 1890s, and the family settled in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Young Theodore joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1921, after turning 18. Two years later he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, and in 1927 became the first Ukrainian American to graduate from West Point. He died in captivity as a Prisoner of War after the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps)

    Division:

    U.S. Army Forces in the Far East.

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates and 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps) Theodore Kalakuka (ASN: 0-16841), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, in defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Kalakuka, 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps)

    Division:

    U.S. Army Forces in the Far East.

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates and 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps) Theodore Kalakuka (ASN: 0-16841), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, in defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Kalakuka, 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    1942 – Died in Captivity

    Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Kalakuka (ASN: 0-16841), 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 while still in captivity.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps)

    Division:

    U.S. Army Forces in the Far East.

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 21 (1942)

    (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 Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps) Theodore Kalakuka (ASN: 0-16841), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, in defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. On one of his inspection trips to Bataan that he became involved in an engagement with the Japanese in the vicinity of Agloloma. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Kalakuka, 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.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps)

    Action Date:

    December 8, 1941 – March 11, 1942
    War Department, General Orders No. 61 (1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps) Theodore Kalakuka (ASN: 0-16841), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility while serving with Headquarters, United States Army Forces in the Far East, I the Philippine Islands from 8 December 1941 to 11 March 1942. As assistant to the Quartermaster, United States Army Forces in the Far East, Lieutenant Colonel Kalakuka, on the outbreak of hostilities, supervised the requisitioning of large quantities of additional supplies in the Manila area and their collection for transportation. His energy and force in overcoming the difficulties inherent in such operations during repeated enemy bombardments were evidenced by the large quantities of essential supplies obtained and successfully delivered to Bataan. Later he supervised and coordinated the distribution of supplies in the forward areas. By his repeated visits to all echelons of the command, frequently under hostile fire, he rendered invaluable service in keeping his command informed of the details of the supply situation and in improving effective means of overcoming supply and transportation. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Kalakuka in the service of his country, and his dedicated contributions, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.