This Military Service Page was created/owned by
PFC James E. Franklin (Slim)
to remember
Marine Capt William Frederick Hogaboom.
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Contact Info
Home Town Vicksburg
Last Address Parents BrigGeneral and Mrs. George E. Hagoboom 1625 Monroe St. Vicksburg
MIA Date Dec 15, 1944
Cause MIA-Died in Captivity
Reason Unknown, Not Reported
Location Philippines
Location of Memorial Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
On Dec. 13, 1944 the Japanese in charge on the Oryoku Maru took 1619 American and Allied prisoners of war on board for transport to Japan. They left from Pier #7 in Manila. Groups 1 of the prisoners, about 700 men, were loaded first and placed in the after hold. Group 2, about 600 men, entered the forward hold, which was about 60 by 100 feet. Men started fainting due to overcrowding and lack of ventilation. Group 3, approximately 300 men, were loaded in the hatch amid-ships. The Japanese gave the men little water, inadequate latrines and the temperature inside the ship rose to 120 degrees. Men became deranged, and forty to fifty men died by the 14th. For the next two days, American planes strafed the ship. For this, the Japanese punished the prisoners on board further by denying food and water. More of the confined men started acting crazy. On the 15th, an American bomb hit the aft hold killing around a hundred men. After that, the Japanese released their passengers at Subic Bay. They then let out the POWs, and made them swim ashore, even if they did not know how to swim. Five men on a raft of floating debris were fired at, and three died. The prisoners assembled in an area next to a tennis court. Fifty percent of the men got some water, after waiting in line for four to six hours. The men were forced into the tennis courts and counts of rosters took place. The counts showed less than 1300 men remaining at this point. Capt William Frederick Hogaboom died during the bombing, the "Hell Ship" was not marked with a Red Cross or POW.
Other Comments:
Body Not Recovered
Navy Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant William Frederick Hogaboom (MCSN: 0-5957), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in action while serving with Company K, Third Battalion, FOURTH Marines (Detached) as Commanding Officer of Battery A, Navy Bluejacket-Marine Battalion (Mariveles), in action against the enemy in the defense of the Bataan Peninsula, Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 23 to 31 January. Lieutenant Hogaboom, while attached to a composite Blue Jacket-Marine Battalion hastily organized to expel a strong enemy detachment which had infiltrated and occupied commanding ground dangerously threatening the Miravalis area of Bataan, rendered conspicuous service in controlling and handling mixed units in this action, which succeeded in isolating the Japanese force on Longoskawayan Point where the enemy was destroyed. Lieutenant Hogaboom displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, and by his courageous actions and tireless efforts contributed materially to the success of this important and timely operation. His actions at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Action Date: January 23 - 31, 1942
