Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Pastor
Martelino
POW (WWII) KIA
1896-08-08

–

January 8, 1945 (Executed as a POW)

Born:

, 

Philippine Islands

Home:

, 

Philippine Islands

Born Pastor Martelino y Conception, Pastor Martelino changed his name to Pastor Martelino when he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1920. He became the first Commandant of the Philippine Military Academy. In 1942 he was commissioned a Colonel in the USAFFE, and captured during early fighting in the Philippine Islands and subsequently released. Late in the war the Japanese reportedly offered him a General’s rank to defend Corregidor against the coming U.S. invasion which he declined. Subsequently re-captured and tortured, he was executed in captivity on or about January 8, 1945.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department, General Orders No. 71 (1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps) Pastor Martelino (ASN: 0-12670), 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 in the Philippine Islands during World War II.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps)

    Action Date:

    December 22, 1944 – Died in Captivity

    Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps) Pastor Martelino (ASN: 0-12670), United States Army, was captured for the second time on December 22, 1944, and held as a Prisoner of War until his death in captivity on or about 8 January 1945.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942

    Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps) Pastor Martelino (ASN: 0-12670), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War briefly before being released, following which he fought in the Philippine Resistance.