Wichita Falls in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Lost Battalion
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2016
1. The Lost Battalion Marker
To the memory of those honored members of The Lost Battalion
Native sons
Members of the 2nd Battalion 131st Field Artillery 36th Infantry Division
On March 8, 1942, these gallant men were taken prisoner by the Japanese on Java. Held captive for three and one half years
The living members were released September 2 1945. To these valiant men living and dead we offer our humble gratitude August 1951
Erected 1951. (Marker Number 3130.)
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the The Thailand-Burma Railway series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 8, 1942.
Location. 33° 54.726′ N, 98° 29.684′ W. Marker is in Wichita Falls, Texas, in Wichita County. Memorial is on 7th Street east of Travis Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker and monument are located in the center of the walkway leading to the Wichita County Courthouse main entrance on 7th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 7th Street, Wichita Falls TX 76301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Texas Governor James V. Allred (a few steps from this marker); First County Officials (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. Marker is a large metal tablet mounted vertically on a large, knee-high stone monument.
Also see . . .
1. Lost Battalion (Pacific, World War II). The men of the battalion, plus the survivors of the sunken ship USS Houston, were captured by the Japanese on the island of Java. The fate of the men was unknown to the United States until September 1944. They were prisoners of war for 42 months until the end of World War II. 534 soldiers from the battalion and 368 survivors of the Houston were taken prisoner. Most of the men were sent to Thailand to work on the Burma Railway, the building of which is portrayed in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai. Of the 902 soldiers and
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2016
2. The Lost Battalion Memorial (wide view; Wichita County Courthouse in background)
2. Lost Battalion commemorative sites. The USPOWTBR site strives to relate the story and keep alive the memory of these brave men. (Submitted on June 12, 2023, by Jj Karwacki of Tha Maka, Kanchanaburi.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
