USMCR World War II
Private First Class James G. Barna POW Died or murdered in captivity Philippine Islands, date of loss May 6, 1942 official Date of Death January 7, 1946
Unit Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4tht Marines
Hometown:Detroit, Michigan
Mother, Mrs. Barbara Samborec
service (MCSN: 280701)
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart,Prisoner of War Medal
Details of career here.
James joined the Marine Corp in 1940 at 17 years old and served in Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines.
After fighting in the initial defense in the Philippines he disappears from the American rolls in 1942 when his regiment was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor.
The Japanese discovered that James and other prisoners were receiving food and exchanging notes with Filipinos. James and other five prisoners were beaten and held without food. Later they were taken to Manila. He received a Prisoner of War Metal. He was held Prisoner of War until his death. James was declared dead in 1946. His body was not found and was not returned home.
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See attachments. PFC Barna and several fellow prisoners made a failed escape attempt in late August 1942 from the Palawan POW Camp, site of later massacre. PFC Barna and his comrades were bound to a coconut palm, beaten until unconscious, revived, then beaten again by chief cook Manichi Nishitani. The victims were reportedly returned to Manila, and likely died that day, or the next. Manichi Nishitani was tried at a war crimes tribunal and sentenced to five years in prison. PFC Barna remained in an MIA status until the end of the war. On 7 January 1946, the Secretary of the Navy made a "finding of death" for PFC Barna, and hundreds of others still in an MIA status. PFC Barna's brother, George Barna was wounded in action 27 Feb 1945 while serving with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines on Iwo Jima.
Private First Class James G. Barna POW Died or murdered in captivity Philippine Islands, date of loss May 6, 1942 official Date of Death January 7, 1946
Unit Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4tht Marines
Hometown:Detroit, Michigan
Mother, Mrs. Barbara Samborec
service (MCSN: 280701)
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart,Prisoner of War Medal
Details of career here.
James joined the Marine Corp in 1940 at 17 years old and served in Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines.
After fighting in the initial defense in the Philippines he disappears from the American rolls in 1942 when his regiment was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor.
The Japanese discovered that James and other prisoners were receiving food and exchanging notes with Filipinos. James and other five prisoners were beaten and held without food. Later they were taken to Manila. He received a Prisoner of War Metal. He was held Prisoner of War until his death. James was declared dead in 1946. His body was not found and was not returned home.
****
See attachments. PFC Barna and several fellow prisoners made a failed escape attempt in late August 1942 from the Palawan POW Camp, site of later massacre. PFC Barna and his comrades were bound to a coconut palm, beaten until unconscious, revived, then beaten again by chief cook Manichi Nishitani. The victims were reportedly returned to Manila, and likely died that day, or the next. Manichi Nishitani was tried at a war crimes tribunal and sentenced to five years in prison. PFC Barna remained in an MIA status until the end of the war. On 7 January 1946, the Secretary of the Navy made a "finding of death" for PFC Barna, and hundreds of others still in an MIA status. PFC Barna's brother, George Barna was wounded in action 27 Feb 1945 while serving with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines on Iwo Jima.
USMCR World War II
Private First Class James G. Barna POW Died or murdered in captivity Philippine Islands, date of loss May 6, 1942 official Date of Death January 7, 1946
Unit Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4tht Marines
Hometown:Detroit, Michigan
Mother, Mrs. Barbara Samborec
service (MCSN: 280701)
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart,Prisoner of War Medal
Details of career here.
James joined the Marine Corp in 1940 at 17 years old and served in Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines.
After fighting in the initial defense in the Philippines he disappears from the American rolls in 1942 when his regiment was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor.
The Japanese discovered that James and other prisoners were receiving food and exchanging notes with Filipinos. James and other five prisoners were beaten and held without food. Later they were taken to Manila. He received a Prisoner of War Metal. He was held Prisoner of War until his death. James was declared dead in 1946. His body was not found and was not returned home.
****
See attachments. PFC Barna and several fellow prisoners made a failed escape attempt in late August 1942 from the Palawan POW Camp, site of later massacre. PFC Barna and his comrades were bound to a coconut palm, beaten until unconscious, revived, then beaten again by chief cook Manichi Nishitani. The victims were reportedly returned to Manila, and likely died that day, or the next. Manichi Nishitani was tried at a war crimes tribunal and sentenced to five years in prison. PFC Barna remained in an MIA status until the end of the war. On 7 January 1946, the Secretary of the Navy made a "finding of death" for PFC Barna, and hundreds of others still in an MIA status. PFC Barna's brother, George Barna was wounded in action 27 Feb 1945 while serving with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines on Iwo Jima.
Private First Class James G. Barna POW Died or murdered in captivity Philippine Islands, date of loss May 6, 1942 official Date of Death January 7, 1946
Unit Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4tht Marines
Hometown:Detroit, Michigan
Mother, Mrs. Barbara Samborec
service (MCSN: 280701)
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart,Prisoner of War Medal
Details of career here.
James joined the Marine Corp in 1940 at 17 years old and served in Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines.
After fighting in the initial defense in the Philippines he disappears from the American rolls in 1942 when his regiment was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor.
The Japanese discovered that James and other prisoners were receiving food and exchanging notes with Filipinos. James and other five prisoners were beaten and held without food. Later they were taken to Manila. He received a Prisoner of War Metal. He was held Prisoner of War until his death. James was declared dead in 1946. His body was not found and was not returned home.
****
See attachments. PFC Barna and several fellow prisoners made a failed escape attempt in late August 1942 from the Palawan POW Camp, site of later massacre. PFC Barna and his comrades were bound to a coconut palm, beaten until unconscious, revived, then beaten again by chief cook Manichi Nishitani. The victims were reportedly returned to Manila, and likely died that day, or the next. Manichi Nishitani was tried at a war crimes tribunal and sentenced to five years in prison. PFC Barna remained in an MIA status until the end of the war. On 7 January 1946, the Secretary of the Navy made a "finding of death" for PFC Barna, and hundreds of others still in an MIA status. PFC Barna's brother, George Barna was wounded in action 27 Feb 1945 while serving with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines on Iwo Jima.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Michigan.
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