Brigadier General Austin C. Shofner was a career Marine Corps officer and soldier in World War II. He began his military career in 1941 as a lieutenant and company commander in the 4th Marine Regiment stationed in Shanghai, China. In November 1941, as tensions increased between the United States and Japan, the regiment was transferred to the Philippine Islands. Shofner fought in the battles around Bataan and Corregidor and received the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and a promotion to captain in February 1942.
In May 1942 Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese. Shofner and his group were placed in several different POW camps, where they endured many hardships. Shofner, with a small group of Marines and Filipino soldiers managed to escape the Davao PW camp.
The escapees reached Philippine army strongholds in the jungle. There the Marines organized and guided the 110th Division, a group of U.S. military personnel and Filipino guerrillas that maintained a resistance movement around Mindanao. Submarines based in Australia supplied the Division. During the resistance Shofner was promoted to major and his duties included deputy chief of staff and assistant for operations for the division.
In November 1943 Shofner was picked up by a supply submarine and in Australia he received the Distinguished Service Cross from General Douglas MacArthur. Shofner then served in the 1st Marine Division and participated in various Pacific Theater battles to liberate the Philippines. He retired in 1959 with the rank of brigadier general.
In May 1942 Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese. Shofner and his group were placed in several different POW camps, where they endured many hardships. Shofner, with a small group of Marines and Filipino soldiers managed to escape the Davao PW camp.
The escapees reached Philippine army strongholds in the jungle. There the Marines organized and guided the 110th Division, a group of U.S. military personnel and Filipino guerrillas that maintained a resistance movement around Mindanao. Submarines based in Australia supplied the Division. During the resistance Shofner was promoted to major and his duties included deputy chief of staff and assistant for operations for the division.
In November 1943 Shofner was picked up by a supply submarine and in Australia he received the Distinguished Service Cross from General Douglas MacArthur. Shofner then served in the 1st Marine Division and participated in various Pacific Theater battles to liberate the Philippines. He retired in 1959 with the rank of brigadier general.
Brigadier General Austin C. Shofner was a career Marine Corps officer and soldier in World War II. He began his military career in 1941 as a lieutenant and company commander in the 4th Marine Regiment stationed in Shanghai, China. In November 1941, as tensions increased between the United States and Japan, the regiment was transferred to the Philippine Islands. Shofner fought in the battles around Bataan and Corregidor and received the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and a promotion to captain in February 1942.
In May 1942 Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese. Shofner and his group were placed in several different POW camps, where they endured many hardships. Shofner, with a small group of Marines and Filipino soldiers managed to escape the Davao PW camp.
The escapees reached Philippine army strongholds in the jungle. There the Marines organized and guided the 110th Division, a group of U.S. military personnel and Filipino guerrillas that maintained a resistance movement around Mindanao. Submarines based in Australia supplied the Division. During the resistance Shofner was promoted to major and his duties included deputy chief of staff and assistant for operations for the division.
In November 1943 Shofner was picked up by a supply submarine and in Australia he received the Distinguished Service Cross from General Douglas MacArthur. Shofner then served in the 1st Marine Division and participated in various Pacific Theater battles to liberate the Philippines. He retired in 1959 with the rank of brigadier general.
In May 1942 Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese. Shofner and his group were placed in several different POW camps, where they endured many hardships. Shofner, with a small group of Marines and Filipino soldiers managed to escape the Davao PW camp.
The escapees reached Philippine army strongholds in the jungle. There the Marines organized and guided the 110th Division, a group of U.S. military personnel and Filipino guerrillas that maintained a resistance movement around Mindanao. Submarines based in Australia supplied the Division. During the resistance Shofner was promoted to major and his duties included deputy chief of staff and assistant for operations for the division.
In November 1943 Shofner was picked up by a supply submarine and in Australia he received the Distinguished Service Cross from General Douglas MacArthur. Shofner then served in the 1st Marine Division and participated in various Pacific Theater battles to liberate the Philippines. He retired in 1959 with the rank of brigadier general.
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