Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Prichard
Woodbridge
POW (WWII) MIA-KIA
1903-01-11

–

1945-01-09

Born:

Newark

, 

Ohio

Home:

Newark

, 

Ohio

Buried: 

Fort Scott

, 

Kansas

Cemetery:

Fort Scott National Cemetery (Cenotaph)

John Woodbridge graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1926. Captured after the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942, he was held as a Prisoner of War. In 1944 he survived the sinking of the Japanese “Hell Ship” Oryoku Maru, but was transferred a Japanese freighter and was killed when that ship was bombed in 1945 in Formosa.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    81st Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    81st Philippine Division

    Action Date:

    1941 – 1942
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Field Artillery) John Prichard Woodbridge (ASN: 0-16478), 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 as Commanding Officer, 81st Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Philippine Division, from 1941 to 1942. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Woodbridge and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    1942 – Died in Captivity

    Colonel (Field Artillery) John Prichard Woodbridge (ASN: 0-16478), 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:

    Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    81st Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    81st Philippine Division

    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 Colonel (Field Artillery) John Prichard Woodbridge (ASN: 0-16478), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 81st Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Philippine Division, 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 Colonel Woodbridge, 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.