A World War II soldier from Washington Parish who died as a POW in the Philipines in 1942 has been returned to his home.
Private First Class Joseph Corbett Murphy of Bogalusa was with the 31st Infantry Regiment in the Philipines when Japanese forces invaded.
Murphy was captured by the Japanese and was forced to suffer the infamous Bataan Death March. He survided that, but then he was imprisoned in the notorious Cabanatuan Prison Camp. While a POW in the camp and suffering from malnutrition, he became ill and died.
Following the war his remains were transfered to a military mausoleum near Manila. His remains stayed there until earlier this year, when U.S. Department of Defense investigative efforts identified PFC Murphy.
After Murphy’s death in 1942, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commander of U.S, Forces in the Pacific, wrote to Murphy’s family, saying, "In your son's death, I have lost a gallant comrade and mourn with you."
Family, friends, and everyone else are invited to attend the funeral ceremony at the American Legion, Magic City, Post 24 (63349 Highway 10, Bogalusa) on Saturday, August 3, at 1:00 pm. Rev. Caleb Martin and Brother Jimmy Byrd will officiate the service. Burial with military honors will then follow in the Pounds Cemetery (364 Old River Road.
The family will receive friends and have visitation from 11:00 am until services begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the legion hall.
