Always Remember Those Who Gave All: MC WW2 Gold Stars and MIA Survivors

Thomas Owen Vannatta (1914-1943)

MC Class: ex-1935

Years at MC: 1931-1933 (Freshman and Sophomore)

Hometown: Belvidere, NJ

Life at MC: Alpha Sigma Literary Society, played Clarinet in College Band

Military Branch: US Marine Corps

Military Unit: Unknown

Rank: Corporal

Medals Awarded: Prisoner of War Medal

Date Missing: 6 May 1942

Date of Death: 7 December 1943

Location of Death: Prisoner of War Camp, Osaka, Japan

Circumstances of Death: Thomas Owen Vannatta "entered the Marine Corps in January 1939, went to China in 1940, to the Philippines in 1941, where he was taken prisoner [near Corregidor, Philippine Islands]. He died in Osaka Prisoner of War Camp, Japan, on December 7, 1943." (Dr. Lloyd speech at Gold Star chapel service)

Burial/Memorial Information: Plot D-1031, Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2533061/thomas-owen-vannatta)

Additional Information: March 25, 1943 article entitled "Learn Their Son Held By Japs" from The Morning Call (Allentown, PA) is available at https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17217794/thomas-vannatta-held-by-japs-march-25/.

Additional Images:

1932 Maryville College Band in Front of Voorhees Chapel