Joe Clifton East was born on November 17, 1908. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1930. He served in the 91st Coast Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts, as a Major during World War II.
Captured after the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, he was held as a POW at PW Camp #1 in Cabanatuan until December 1944, when he was placed aboard the Oryoku Maru for transport to Japan. Surviving its attack, he was transferred to the Brazil Maru, where he died of illness on January 15, 1945, and was buried at sea.
Maj East's name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines. He also has a cenotaph in the Rolla Cemetery, Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri, USA.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, weremember.abmc.gov, dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil
PRIVATE CITIZENS SUPPORTING AMERICA'S HERITAGE
American
War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
East Joe Clifton
Name:
Joe Clifton East
Rank:
Major
Serial Number:
O-18192
Unit:
91st Coast Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts
Date of Death:
1945-01-27
State:
Virginia
Cemetery:
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines
Plot:
Tablets of the Missing
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Bronze Star, POW Medal
Comments: