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PFC Sammy Lee Caldwell

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PFC Sammy Lee Caldwell Veteran

Birth
Teague, Freestone County, Texas, USA
Death
14 Dec 1944 (aged 25)
Palawan Province, MIMAROPA, Philippines
Burial
Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA Add to Map
Plot
SECTION 85 SITE 63
Memorial ID
View Source
Palawan Massacre
During World War II, in order to prevent the rescue of prisoners of war by the advancing allies, on 14 December 1944, the Japanese herded the remaining 150 POWs at Puerto Princesa into three covered trenches which were then set on fire using barrels of gasoline. As prisoners tried to escape the flames they were shot down. Some escaped by going over a cliff that ran along one side of the trenches, but were later hunted down and killed. Only 11 men escaped the slaughter and between 133 and 141 were killed. The site of the massacre can still be visited. The massacre is the premise of the recently published book "Last Man Out: Glenn McDole, USMC, Survivor of the Palawan Massacre in World War II" by Bob Wilbanks, and the opening scenes of the 2005 Miramax movie, "The Great Raid".
Palawan Massacre
During World War II, in order to prevent the rescue of prisoners of war by the advancing allies, on 14 December 1944, the Japanese herded the remaining 150 POWs at Puerto Princesa into three covered trenches which were then set on fire using barrels of gasoline. As prisoners tried to escape the flames they were shot down. Some escaped by going over a cliff that ran along one side of the trenches, but were later hunted down and killed. Only 11 men escaped the slaughter and between 133 and 141 were killed. The site of the massacre can still be visited. The massacre is the premise of the recently published book "Last Man Out: Glenn McDole, USMC, Survivor of the Palawan Massacre in World War II" by Bob Wilbanks, and the opening scenes of the 2005 Miramax movie, "The Great Raid".

Inscription

PFC, US MARINE CORPS WORLD WAR II



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  • Created by: Eric Kreft
  • Added: Apr 22, 2007
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19049591/sammy_lee-caldwell: accessed ), memorial page for PFC Sammy Lee Caldwell (22 Jun 1919–14 Dec 1944), Find a Grave Memorial ID 19049591, citing Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA; Maintained by Eric Kreft (contributor 46843358).