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Navy Federal Credit Union
Thomas
J.
Scecina
POW (WWII) MIA
September 16, 1910

–

MIA: October 24, 1944

Born:

Vicksburg

, 

Indiana

Home:

Linton

, 

Indiana

Buried: 

Manila

, 

Philippine Islands

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila (Wall of the Missing)

Thomas Scecina was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 11, 1935, in the Abbey Church of Saint Meinrad. After receiving his Baccalaureate in Canon Law from Catholic University in 1937, he was assigned as an associate pastor of Saint John’s Parish in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1938 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve Corps and was assigned to the 57th Infantry Division in the Philippine Islands. He ministered to his troops during the ill-fated defense of Bataan, and was captured when Bataan surrendered, suffering through the infamous Bataan Death March. He was held in Japanese Prisoner of War camps in the Philippine Islands until 1944, when he was loaded with other prisoners on the Japanese “Hell Ship” Arisan Maru for transportation to Japan. He was subsequently missing in action torpedoed American submarine, unaware that the ship contained American prisoners, bombed it at sea on October 24, 1944.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    57th Infantry Division, Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    January 19, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 265 (1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Thomas J. Scecina (ASN: 0-384964), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with Company K, 57th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, in operations during the defense of Bataan, on 19 January 1942. Chaplain Scecina’s company suffered heavy casualties when the command post was hit directly by Japanese artillery fire. Without regard to his own safety, Chaplain Scecina calmly walked into the area and cleared it of the dead and wounded. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Scecina, 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 (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    57th Infantry Division, Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    April 6, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 125 (1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Thomas J. Scecina (ASN: 0-384964), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Chaplain with Company K, 57th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, in action during the defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 6 April 1942. Chaplain Scecina assisted the company surgeon in clearing an artillery and air bombardment area of the wounded, and administering to their needs. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Scecina, 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.