Date of Enlistment: 1936 Home or Place of Enlistment: Pocatello, Idaho Date of Loss: October 24, 1944
Lester J. DeMouth was captured by Imperial Japan while serving in the Philippine Islands, and was sent to Manila Area Civilian Camp near Manila, Philippines where 669 other American POWs were held. Lester’s capture was first reported to the International Committee of the Red Cross on May 6, 1942, and the last report was made on October 24, 1944. Based on these two reports, Lester was imprisoned for at least 902 days (2 years and ~7 months). Lester died in the sinking of the Arisan Maru on October 24, 1944 while in Prisoner of War status.
(The 4th Marine Regiment was awarded the Army Presidential Unit Citation twice while operating under the direction and in the support of the U.S. Army during the Battle of the Philippines.)