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Lieutenant Colonel <em>John P. Woodbridge</em> (Johnny) was born In Newark, Ohio, on the 11th of January 1903, entering the Military Academy from that state July 1, 1922. He was graduated from the Military Academy in the Class of 1926, well known and respected by his classmates and associates for his cheerfulness, optimism, helpfulness and integrity. Upon graduation Johnny chose the Air Service and graduated from the Air Corps Primary Flying School in 1927. In April 1927 he was transferred to the Field Artillery and to the “Field” he gave his loyalty and devotion until his untimely death cut short a highly successful military career.</p>
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During 1929 while at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Johnny married Miss Mary Lee Matthews of San Antonio, Texas, who as wife and companion helped and inspired him to the day of his death. From Fort Sam Houston Johnny went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, graduating from the F.A. School Battery Officers’ Course in 1931. Then followed - service as a Battery officer and Field officer at Fort Stotsenburg, P. I., Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, with the Armored at Fort Knox, Kentucky and at Fort Jackson, S. C. In 1941 he attended the C.&G.S. School at Fort Leavenworth after which he was sent to the Philippine Islands as a part of our outpost there. He realized the critical military situation of the time but his cheerfulness and optimism did not desert him.</p>
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When the War struck the Philippines December 8, 1941, Johnny was stationed on the island of Bohol, P.I., in command of the 81st F.A. Philippine Army. The regiment was sent to Mindanao where because of lack of equipment it acted as infantry. During the difficult fighting in the defense of the P.I. Johnny retained command of his regiment and by his fearless example and his qualities of leadership inspired a hastily organized, inadequately trained and poorly armed force into a combat unit which delayed and inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese landing force which invaded Mindanao. Both superior and subordinate officers were unanimous in their praise of the results which he obtained with his regiment. The following are extracts from comments of his superiors—</p>
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“The untiring energy, initiative, zeal and leadership you displayed in the task of organizing your positions for defense is worthy of the highest praise. It was only by the organization of your positions and erection of obstacles that permitted it to be held during the brunt of the enemy attack of May 3, 1942. Your action in covering the withdrawal of the 62nd Regiment on May 9, 1942, by holding your positions under heavy machine gun and artillery fire was of high order. I would be pleased to have you serve under my command at any time”.</p>
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“Your husband, Colonel Woodbridge, was one of the Regimental Commanders of Cagayan Sector of Mindanao which was under my Command ... I wish to express my deepest sympathy in your bereavement and to have you know that your husband was an extremely fine officer and did an outstanding piece of work in the command of his Regiment, the 81st Field Artillery in the Defense of the Philippines. His Regiment was a Field Artillery Organization, was equipped and was fought as an Infantry Organization since there were no field guns available for them to man. Although very poorly equipped, these Filipino soldiers, under the able leadership of your fine husband made a gallant defense and acquitted themselves in a most effective manner”.</p>
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Johnny was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel February 18, 1942, and was recommended for promotion to Colonel April 2, 1942. This promotion, while richly deserved, was not made due to his junior position on the Army promotion list. When Mindanao was finally overwhelmed by the Japanese forces Johnny was taken prisoner and held in Mindanao until May 1944 when he was sent to the prison camp at Cabanatuan, P.I. He remained there until October 1944 when he was sent to Bilibid Prison Camp in Manila.</p>
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December 13, 1944 Johnny was embarked on ill-fated Oryoku Maru and survived its sinking at Olongapo on December 15, 1944. With the other survivors he was sent overland to San Fernando, La Union, P.I., and again embarked for Japan on December 27, 1944. He was on board a Japanese freighter in the harbor of Takao, Formosa when it was bombed by American planes January 9, 1945. A bomb hitting on the edge of the hold killed and wounded several hundred American prisoners, Johnny being one of those instantly killed.</p>
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During combat and while a prisoner of war for two and one half long years of suffering and privation Johnny remained undaunted and unafraid. The memory of his family, whom he dearly loved, was with him always and to the day of his death he was cheerful and optimistic of returning home to resume his interrupted life with his family and in his chosen profession.</p>
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Johnny will always be remembered as one of the finest examples of the graduates of the U.S.M.A. who practiced the precepts of our Alma Mater DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY.</p>
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He is survived by: his widow, Mary Lee; two daughters, Jane Ann and Joyce; one son John Jr.; his mother, Mrs. F. L. Woodbridge; and two brothers, P. L. Woodbridge and Wm. P. Woodbridge.</p>
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