Raleigh Verne Colwell

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
Prisoner of War Medal (Added per DoD Manual 1348.33 Vol 2, Nov 2010, pages 60-63) Authorized for issue to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, was taken prisoner and held captive after April 5, 1917.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that PVT Colwell was posthumously awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
Yes Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
No  WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
Raleigh Verne Colwell
Service # 19017777
Unit 31st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division
Rank Private U.S. Army Air Forces
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: June 2, 1942
Buried
 Plot: C, Row: 1, Grave: 42
 Manila American Cemetery
 Manila, Philippines
Awards: None Listed

WWII Draft Card Data
  None Found

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: Raleigh V. Colwell
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: 18
Birth Date: abt 1924
Birth Place: USA
Admission Date: June 1942
Admission Place: Pacific Section
Discharge Date: June ...
Military Branch: Ordnance
Diagnosis: Dysentery, unclassified
Injured in Line of Duty: In line of duty
Service Number: 19017777

Note 1: The death location, "In Camp O'Donnell POW Camp" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PVT Colwell, this location was verified on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 31st Infantry Regiment.

B. The 31st Infantry Regiment surrendered to Japanese forces on the Bataan Peninsula on 9 April 1942. The survivors endured the Bataan Death March and were sent to the Camp O'Donnel POW camp.

C. Hospital Admission Records indicate that PVT Colwell died during June 1942 as a result of Dysentery while in POW status.

D. Further information on the 31st Infantry Regiment and the Philippine Division can be found at the Wikipedia website 31st Infantry Regiment.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
  World War II Prisoners of the Japanese File, 2007 Update, ca. 1941 - ca. 1945 - See Note 2

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946 - See Note 2

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