United States Military Academy West Point "Class of 1923"

Cenotaph Here

LTC Marron was a 1923 graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point) and commissioned as a Judge Advocate General's Corps officer. When the war started, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (December 19, 1941), and assigned to military duty under General MacArthur. Very little is known of his activities during the fighting. He was on Corregidor part of the time. He had the opportunity to leave with the High Commissioner's staff, but chose to remain. At the time of the surrender on Bataan in April, 1942, he was commanding the second battalion of the 31st Infantry. It is not known whether or not he made the "Death March", but it seems likely that he did, for he was in Camp No. 1 in July, 1942. From there, he was shipped to Camp No. 2, in October, 1942. This Camp was near Davao, on Mindanao. All that ever was heard from him were four or five form post cards headed "Imperial Japanese Army", and saying little. In June, 1944 he was moved to Manila and put in Camp No. 1. In December, 1944, he was put on a Jap prison ship and started for Japan.

Hellship Oryoku Maru:
Oryoku Maru left Manila on December 13, 1944, with 1,620 prisoners of war (including 1,556 American, 50 British and Dutch, 7 Czech, 4 Norwegians and several other nationalities) packed in the holds, and 1,900 Japanese civilians and military personnel in the cabins. As she neared the naval base at Olongapo in Subic Bay, US Navy planes from USS Hornet attacked the unmarked ship, causing it to sink on December 15. About 270 died aboard ship. Some died from suffocation or dehydration. Others were killed in the attack, drowned or were shot while escaping the ship as it sank in Subic Bay.

Lt. Col Cyril Q. Marron was killed during the attack.

S/O Mary Ann (Crowley) & John Joseph Marron
Wife was Ruth Elizabeth (Schumacher)(Marron)Singer (m. 1926)
Daughter was Irene (Marron) Stearns (b. 1927)
Service # 0-015329
Unit 31st Infantry Regiment
Rank Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army
★ Purple Heart
★ Prisoner of War Medal
★ Bronze Star
Status Missing In Action

Prisoner of War Medal
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Division: Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Cyril Quentin Marron (ASN: 0-15329), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.

Source material from multiple public domain websites.

Remembered by Buffalo (50696055)