Veterans' Memorial Project

Jack Olinger Baldwin

Pana, IL

World War II

College: Commerce & Business Administration

Graduation Year: 1931

Service Branch: Army

Rank: Major

Date of Birth: 09/22/1908

Date of Death: 01/16/1945

Affiliations: Delta Chi

Major Baldwin served with the 91st Field Artillery Regiment, 91st Philippine Infantry Division. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese in the Philippines. He died in the sinking of the Oryoku Maru in Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. The ship was carrying Prisoners of War when it was attacked by American planes. The Japanese abandoned ship but left the POWs on board. The next morning the Japanese told them to swim to shore. It was only when the pilots saw the large number of men climbing out of the holds that they stopped the attack. They realized it was a POW ship. His date of death would indicate he made it to shore but died of wounds from the attack. He is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.

– submitted by Bette Baldwin Chapman, niece; information taken from University and public records

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