Philip Henry Lehr was born on June 6, 1916, in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He was the son of Frank Phillip Lehr and Meta Helen Schlueter Lehr. He was married to Rose Krister. He graduated from Case School of Applied Science and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1939. After graduating, Philip was initially assigned to the Air Corps, but after several months of flight training, he returned to his primary branch, joining the 91st Coast Artillery (Philippine Scouts).

At the outbreak of war, Philip Henry Lehr served in several roles, including Regimental Communications Officer of the 91st Coast Artillery, where he bravely repaired communication lines under enemy bombardment. His courage and gallantry earned him two decorations for valor, and his unit received three Presidential Unit Citations during the siege of Corregidor. After Corregidor’s surrender, Lehr was taken prisoner and sent to the Cabanatuan concentration camp north of Manila, where he endured severe shortages of food and sanitation, leading to widespread disease and death among prisoners. Conditions later improved slightly before his transfer in October 1944. While imprisoned at Cabanatuan, Philip volunteered to serve as a barracks leader, taking responsibility for enlisted men.

In October 1944, as American planes appeared over Luzon, the Japanese transferred 1,619 prisoners, including Philip Henry Lehr, from Cabanatuan to Bilibid Prison in Manila for shipment to Japan. On December 13, 1944, they were loaded onto the Hell Ship Oryoku Maru, where hundreds died in suffocating, overcrowded holds before the ship was bombed by U.S. aircraft two days later. About 1,200 survivors reached Olongapo, only to face continued deprivation. They were later sent by truck and train to Lingayen Bay, then placed aboard the Enoura Maru around December 25, enduring equally dire conditions. En route to Taiwan, Lehr contracted dysentery and, weakened from months of captivity, died on December 31, 1944. His body was buried at sea in the Formosa Strait.

Cpt Lehr's name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Silver Star Citation:
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Coast Artillery Corps) Philip Henry Lehr (ASN: 0-21841), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 91st Coast Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in action against the enemy during the defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Lehr, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, alumni.westpointaog.org, valor.militarytimes.com