Theodore Roosevelt Kalakuka was born on April 11, 1905, in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. He was the son of Stephen Kalakuka and Eudokia Kalakuka. He was married to Marion F. Ross. He graduated from Technical High School in 1921 and soon after enlisted in the 109th Infantry, Pennsylvania National Guard. He earned admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1923, becoming the first Ukrainian graduate of the Academy in 1927, and was commissioned as a Cavalry officer. Over the following decade, he completed advanced military training in communications, cavalry, and quartermaster operations, steadily rising in rank.

By 1940, he was serving in the Philippines as executive officer for the Quartermaster General of USAFFE and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1941. During the defense of Bataan and Corregidor, Kalakuka distinguished himself for gallantry, earning the Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters for repeatedly risking his life to save wounded men, supplies, and rally troops under fire. After the fall of Corregidor, he acted as interpreter during surrender negotiations and was later sent by General Wainwright to deliver surrender orders to northern Luzon units.

LTC Kalakuka was captured by the Japanese and held as a prisoner of war, fell ill with cerebral malaria, and died on October 31, 1942. He is now buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Army Distinguished Service Medal Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps) Theodore Kalakuka (ASN: 0-16841), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility while serving with Headquarters, United States Army Forces in the Far East, I the Philippine Islands from 8 December 1941 to 11 March 1942. As assistant to the Quartermaster, United States Army Forces in the Far East, Lieutenant Colonel Kalakuka, on the outbreak of hostilities, supervised the requisitioning of large quantities of additional supplies in the Manila area and their collection for transportation. His energy and force in overcoming the difficulties inherent in such operations during repeated enemy bombardments were evidenced by the large quantities of essential supplies obtained and successfully delivered to Bataan. Later he supervised and coordinated the distribution of supplies in the forward areas. By his repeated visits to all echelons of the command, frequently under hostile fire, he rendered invaluable service in keeping his command informed of the details of the supply situation and in improving effective means of overcoming supply and transportation. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Kalakuka in the service of his country, and his dedicated contributions, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, qmmuseum.army.mil, valor.militarytimes.com