Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Philip
Gatch
Lauman
Jr.
POW (WWII) KIA
1915-08-01

–

1944-12-15

Born:

, 

California

Home:

Pittsylvania County

, 

Virginia

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery (Cenotaph)

Philip Lauman graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1937. Captured after the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942, he was held as a Prisoner of War, and died aboard the Japanese “Hell Ship” Oryoku Maru when it was bombed by American planes while transporting American POWs to Japan.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    I Corps, Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    World War II
    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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Field Artillery) Philip Gatch Lauman, Jr. (ASN: 0-20674), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, FIRST Corps, in action against the enemy in the defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Lauman, 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) Philip Gatch Lauman, Jr. (ASN: 0-20674), 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 15 December 1944.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    I Corps, Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    1942
    American Battle Monuments Commission

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Field Artillery) Philip Gatch Lauman, Jr. (ASN: 0-20674), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with Headquarters, FIRST Corps, in the Philippine Islands in 1942.