John Wesley Durham, Jr.
PFC John W. Durham, Jr. served with Headquarters Company, 4th Marines.
He was killed in action at Corregidor on 5-6 May 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 292394
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 14, 1921
at Willow Springs, MO
Parents
John Wesley Durham, Sr.
Martha Icelon (O’Baugh) Durham (d.1930)
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
August 21, 1940
at Kansas City, MO
Home Of Record
Willow Springs, MO
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. John Durham Sr.
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
HQ/4th Marines
Campaigns Served
Philippine Islands / Corregidor
Individual Decorations*
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Durham also served with K/3/4th Marines.
* Note: Although some sources list Durham as receiving the Prisoner of War Medal, evidence points to his death (rather than capture) on Corregidor.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC John Durham was stationed at Navy Yard Cavite when the United States entered World War II. At first assigned to K/3/4th Marines, he transferred to the regiment’s Headquarters Company on 18 February 1942, and participated in the defense of the islands and the siege of Corregidor.
On the night of 5 May 1942, Japanese troops staged an amphibious assault on Corregidor itself. The garrison put up a determined defense, but were simply overwhelmed and finally capitulated at 1200 hours on 6 May. Casualties on both sides were heavy; among the dead was PFC Durham. No specifics of his final moments are currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
PFC Durham’s body was seen on the battlefield, which served to confirm his death in action. However, no details pertaining to a burial were recorded.
Note: While the witness statement indicates that Durham was killed on 5 May 1942, his official date of death is 6 May 1942.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. John Durham Sr.
Location Of Loss
Durham was last seen at an unspecified location on Corregidor.
