Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Honoring E Battery Lost Battalion WWII

131st Field Artillery 2nd BN

Photographed By Duane Hall, December 14, 2014

1. Honoring E Battery Lost Battalion WWII Marker

Inscription.

Mobilized at Abilene, Texas, 25 November 1940. Captured by the Japanese forces, 10 March, 1942. Liberated, 18 September 1945.

Battery Officers
T.A. Dodson, Capt. • H.G. Allen, 1st Lt. • W.R. Slone, 1st Lt. • M.A. Straughan, 2nd Lt.

Sergeants
F.F. Gilliam, 1st Sgt. • A.B. Cumberledge • J.G. Fender • F. Fujita • D.N. Heleman ★ • G.B. Killian • B.W. Robertson • N.W. Rogers • H.R. Spalding • R.H. White • D.A. Williams • O.B. Williams

Corporals
R.R. Choate • C.J. Eaton • P.G. Gosler • N.O.F. Kalich ★ • B.C. Keith • C.T. Minshew • H.B. Plant • C.F. Powers • C.J. Preslar • A.N. Winn • R.A. Wuest

Privates 1st Class
U.M. Carter • R.G. Cook • J.B. Croft • J.S. Davis • P. Evans • T.C. Gilbreth • H.E. Hanks • J.N. Holder • T.E. Lawson ★ • G.W. Lynn • J.G. Martinez • W.F. Matthews • E.W. Miller • V.E. Morrison • O.C. Mygland • C.J. Shelton • M.M. Snelling • P.D. Stein • R.L. Stubbs • C.L. Tucker • W.A. Visage • M.D. Woodall • D.C. Woods • T.B. Woody

Privates
E.D. Adams • J. Aleman • C.E. Barker • O. Campbell • J.P. Campbell • F.P. Ciplinksi • C.C. Clements • E.L. Costlow • F. Cuellar • E.L. Donaho • T.N. Drake • W.L. Farmer • J.W. Farrar • C.C. Garcia • H.A. Garland • G. Conos • L. Hargett • A. Hernandez ★

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• R. Hinton • H.L. Holder • C.D. Lofley • A.W. Martin • R.P. Martinez • D.G. Mayo • R.W. McMahan ★ • J.P. Mendoza • R.N. Moses • C.O. Noddin • L.O. Norris • L.H. Ortiz • F.T. Perez • W.J. Robinson • R.R. Rosas • R.D. Savell • A.T. Salinas • H.T. Sharp • A.E. Shelton • R.E. Shields • W.A. Starnader • L.P. Staver ★ • B. Thomas ★ • J.E. Turner • C.L. Vancleave • T.P. Watson • A. Wetsel • E. Wisman ★ • C.R. Woodward • M. Zimmerle

★ Died while Prisoner-of-War

Erected by American Ex-Prisoners of War.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the The Thailand-Burma Railway series list.

Location. 32° 26.758′ N, 99° 43.947′ W. Marker is in Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. Memorial is at the intersection of Oak Street and S. 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north on Oak Street. The marker is located in the front lawn of the 1914 Taylor County courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Oak St, Abilene TX 79602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "I Shall Never Surrender or Retreat" (a few steps from this marker); 45th Infantry Division at Camp Barkeley (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Thornton’s Store

Photographed By Duane Hall, December 14, 2014

2. Honoring E Battery Lost Battalion WWII Marker

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Taylor County Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Site of Curfew by John J. Clinton (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Texas & Pacific Railway (approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Pine Street Shootout (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.

More about this marker. The marker includes the distinctive unit insignia of the 36th Infantry Division and the 131st Field Artillery Regiment.

Also see . . .
1. Lost Battalion. From the Texas State Historical Association's "Handbook of Texas Online". (Submitted on December 19, 2014.)

2. Lost Battalion Association. From the Texas Military Forces Museum. (Submitted on December 19, 2014.)

3. ‘Lost Battalion’ survivors endured living hell. Article from the August 12, 2013 edition of the San Antonio Express-News noting Lost Battalion members J.L. Summers, Carl Clements, and Alex Salinas. (Submitted on December 19, 2014.)

4. The Men of E Battery 2/131. The link includes a roster and history of E Battery on Java and as POWs in Japan. (Submitted on June 10, 2023, by Jj Karwacki of Tha Maka, Kanchanaburi.)

Marker in Front Lawn of 1914 Taylor County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, December 14, 2014

3. Marker in Front Lawn of 1914 Taylor County Courthouse

Additional commentary.
1. American Ex-Prisoners of War
The American Ex-Prisoners of War, the organization who erected the marker, is a Congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organization.

— Submitted December 19, 2014.

Markers in Front of 1914 Taylor County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, December 14, 2014

4. Markers in Front of 1914 Taylor County Courthouse

The Lost Battalion Marker is on the left side of the lawn.

View to North Along Oak Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, December 14, 2014

5. View to North Along Oak Street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 19, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.