John Arnald Mattern
PFC John A. Mattern served with King Company, Third Battalion, 4th Marines.
He was killed in action at Corregidor on 6 May 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 263926
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 23, 1918*
at Glen Ullin, ND
Parents
Peter Mattern (d. 1945)
Mary H. (Simon) Mattern
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
* This date is on Mattern's military records; census records suggest that he was born in 1921. He may have falsified his date of birth to enlist underage.
Service Life
Entered Service
March 1, 1938
at Seattle, WA
Home Of Record
Glen Ullin, ND
Next Of Kin
Parents, Peter & Mary Mattern
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
K/3/4th Marines
Campaigns Served
Philippine Islands / Corregidor
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
John Mattern was stationed at Cavite, Philippine Islands, when the United States entered World War II. His unit was re-designated as the Third Battalion, 4th Marines, and Mattern became a member of King Company. He fought in the defense of the Philippines and the siege of in the spring of 1942.
On the night of 5 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island. After a fierce fight, the overwhelmed garrison capitulated at 1200 hours on 6 May. PFC Mattern was among those killed in the final defense of the island; no specifics of his fate are currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
PFC Mattern’s body was seen on the battlefield, which served to confirm his death in action. However, no details pertaining to a burial were recorded.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of [next of kin]
Location Of Loss
Try and be as accurate as possible, with caveats as needed.
