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John
Shambora
POW (WWII)

After the loss of his PT Boat in the fighting in the Philippine Islands early in 1942, John Shambora joined the defense forces at Bataan and Corregidor, and was captured and held as a Prisoner of War.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Batallion:

    Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 (MTB-3)

    Action Date:

    March 11 – 13, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Order No. 43 (March 15, 1942) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 306 (September 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Boatswain’s Mate First Class John Shambora (NSN: 2432196), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on Motor Torpedo Boat FORTY-ONE (PT-41), Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE (MTB-3), from 11 to 13 March 1942, in the Philippine Islands during a extraordinary action in a retrograde maneuver involving General Douglas MacArthur. With marked skill and coolness, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Shambora performed this mission of major strategic importance and of a most hazardous nature in the face of greatly superior enemy forces. His conduct throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands & Japan)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942 – August 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class John Shambora (NSN: 2432196), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control after the end of hostilities in August 1945.