USMA Class of 1932. Cullum No. 9424.
General Mellnik, World War II POW And Hero.
He was the son of Maxin Melnick (died 1952) and Mary Melnick. His parents were divorced as of the 1940 Census.
In June 1932 as Stephen M. Mellnick, he married Thelma D. Freas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
They were the parents of three children including Stephanie Mellnik Richards (1936-2002).
El Paso Times
El Paso, Texas. Retired Army Brigadier General Stephen Mellnik, whose escape from the Japanese during World War II brought first word of the horrors of the Bataan Death March, died Saturday, January 1 at Beaumont Army Medical Center. He was 86.
General Mellnik's article in Life magazine in February 1944 contained the first accounts of the atrocities committed by the Japanese on United States prisoners of war.
General Mellnik and thousands of other United States and Allied forces were captured on the tiny island of Corregidor when the Philippines were surrendered in May 1942. He was held in various Japanese prison camps until April 1943, when he and nine others escaped from the Davao penal colony in the southern Philippines.
The escapees hooked up with guerrilla forces fighting in the mountains. Eventually, they made radio contact with Allied forces in Australia, and in July 1943 made a daring rendezvous with a United States submarine off the southern Philippine coast. They were the first United States POWs to escape Japanese captivity.
His daring escape earned General Mellnik the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. His other awards included the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On April 4, 1943, American Air Corps pilots 2d Lieut. Samuel Grashio and Lieut. Colonel William Dyess, United States Army Air Corps Officer 2d Lieut. Leo Boelens, United States Marine Corp officers 1st Lieut. Michael Dobervich, Captain Austin Shofner and 1st Lieut. Jack Hawkins, United States Navy Lieut. Commander Melvin McCoy, United States Coast Artillery Major Steve M. Mellnik, United States Army Sergeants Paul H. Marshall and Robert Spielman, along with two Filipinos were able to escape from a POW work camp, Davao Region, in the Philippines. Over the course of the next few months, seven were transported a few at a time by submarine to Australia while three stayed behind to continue fighting with the guerrillas. Leo Boelens, was eventually killed by the Japanese. This was the only successful mass escape from a Japanese POW camp. Along with recon information provided by these men, they also provided some of the first reports of the atrocities inflicted upon United States military personnel by the Japanese.
Melvyn McCoy retired as Rear Admiral, United States Navy.
Jack Hawkins retired as Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Austin Conner Shofner retired as Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps.
William Edwin Dyess, Lieut. Colonel died during the war in California while making an emergency landing. In 1956, Abilene Air Force Base was renamed Dyess Air Force Base in his honor.
Samuel Charles Grashio retired as Colonel, United States Air Force.
United States Army Sergeant Paul Herman Marshall.
Michiel Dobervich retired as Lieut. Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Robert Blake Spielman retired as Colonel, United States Army.
2d Lieut., United States Army Leo A Boelens was eventually caught by the Japanese and killed.
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
Synopsis: Major (Coast Artillery Corps) Stephen Michael Mellnik (ASN: 0-18754), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, in action against enemy Japanese forces from April 4, 1943 to July 9, 1943 in the Philippine Islands. As a Prisoner of War, Major Mellnik was one of ten men including two Naval Officers, three Air Corps Officers and two Marine Corps Officers who escaped after nearly a year in captivity after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The ten men evaded their captors for days until connecting with Filipino Guerillas under Wendell Fertig. The officers remained with the guerillas for weeks, obtaining vital information which they carried with them when they were subsequently evacuated by American submarines. Their escape was the only mass escape from a Japanese prison camp during the war. Major Mellnik's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 47 (1943)
Action Date: April 4 - July 9, 1943
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Division: Prisoner of War
General Mellnik, World War II POW And Hero.
He was the son of Maxin Melnick (died 1952) and Mary Melnick. His parents were divorced as of the 1940 Census.
In June 1932 as Stephen M. Mellnick, he married Thelma D. Freas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
They were the parents of three children including Stephanie Mellnik Richards (1936-2002).
El Paso Times
El Paso, Texas. Retired Army Brigadier General Stephen Mellnik, whose escape from the Japanese during World War II brought first word of the horrors of the Bataan Death March, died Saturday, January 1 at Beaumont Army Medical Center. He was 86.
General Mellnik's article in Life magazine in February 1944 contained the first accounts of the atrocities committed by the Japanese on United States prisoners of war.
General Mellnik and thousands of other United States and Allied forces were captured on the tiny island of Corregidor when the Philippines were surrendered in May 1942. He was held in various Japanese prison camps until April 1943, when he and nine others escaped from the Davao penal colony in the southern Philippines.
The escapees hooked up with guerrilla forces fighting in the mountains. Eventually, they made radio contact with Allied forces in Australia, and in July 1943 made a daring rendezvous with a United States submarine off the southern Philippine coast. They were the first United States POWs to escape Japanese captivity.
His daring escape earned General Mellnik the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. His other awards included the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On April 4, 1943, American Air Corps pilots 2d Lieut. Samuel Grashio and Lieut. Colonel William Dyess, United States Army Air Corps Officer 2d Lieut. Leo Boelens, United States Marine Corp officers 1st Lieut. Michael Dobervich, Captain Austin Shofner and 1st Lieut. Jack Hawkins, United States Navy Lieut. Commander Melvin McCoy, United States Coast Artillery Major Steve M. Mellnik, United States Army Sergeants Paul H. Marshall and Robert Spielman, along with two Filipinos were able to escape from a POW work camp, Davao Region, in the Philippines. Over the course of the next few months, seven were transported a few at a time by submarine to Australia while three stayed behind to continue fighting with the guerrillas. Leo Boelens, was eventually killed by the Japanese. This was the only successful mass escape from a Japanese POW camp. Along with recon information provided by these men, they also provided some of the first reports of the atrocities inflicted upon United States military personnel by the Japanese.
Melvyn McCoy retired as Rear Admiral, United States Navy.
Jack Hawkins retired as Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Austin Conner Shofner retired as Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps.
William Edwin Dyess, Lieut. Colonel died during the war in California while making an emergency landing. In 1956, Abilene Air Force Base was renamed Dyess Air Force Base in his honor.
Samuel Charles Grashio retired as Colonel, United States Air Force.
United States Army Sergeant Paul Herman Marshall.
Michiel Dobervich retired as Lieut. Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Robert Blake Spielman retired as Colonel, United States Army.
2d Lieut., United States Army Leo A Boelens was eventually caught by the Japanese and killed.
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
Synopsis: Major (Coast Artillery Corps) Stephen Michael Mellnik (ASN: 0-18754), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, in action against enemy Japanese forces from April 4, 1943 to July 9, 1943 in the Philippine Islands. As a Prisoner of War, Major Mellnik was one of ten men including two Naval Officers, three Air Corps Officers and two Marine Corps Officers who escaped after nearly a year in captivity after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The ten men evaded their captors for days until connecting with Filipino Guerillas under Wendell Fertig. The officers remained with the guerillas for weeks, obtaining vital information which they carried with them when they were subsequently evacuated by American submarines. Their escape was the only mass escape from a Japanese prison camp during the war. Major Mellnik's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 47 (1943)
Action Date: April 4 - July 9, 1943
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Division: Prisoner of War
USMA Class of 1932. Cullum No. 9424.
General Mellnik, World War II POW And Hero.
He was the son of Maxin Melnick (died 1952) and Mary Melnick. His parents were divorced as of the 1940 Census.
In June 1932 as Stephen M. Mellnick, he married Thelma D. Freas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
They were the parents of three children including Stephanie Mellnik Richards (1936-2002).
El Paso Times
El Paso, Texas. Retired Army Brigadier General Stephen Mellnik, whose escape from the Japanese during World War II brought first word of the horrors of the Bataan Death March, died Saturday, January 1 at Beaumont Army Medical Center. He was 86.
General Mellnik's article in Life magazine in February 1944 contained the first accounts of the atrocities committed by the Japanese on United States prisoners of war.
General Mellnik and thousands of other United States and Allied forces were captured on the tiny island of Corregidor when the Philippines were surrendered in May 1942. He was held in various Japanese prison camps until April 1943, when he and nine others escaped from the Davao penal colony in the southern Philippines.
The escapees hooked up with guerrilla forces fighting in the mountains. Eventually, they made radio contact with Allied forces in Australia, and in July 1943 made a daring rendezvous with a United States submarine off the southern Philippine coast. They were the first United States POWs to escape Japanese captivity.
His daring escape earned General Mellnik the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. His other awards included the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On April 4, 1943, American Air Corps pilots 2d Lieut. Samuel Grashio and Lieut. Colonel William Dyess, United States Army Air Corps Officer 2d Lieut. Leo Boelens, United States Marine Corp officers 1st Lieut. Michael Dobervich, Captain Austin Shofner and 1st Lieut. Jack Hawkins, United States Navy Lieut. Commander Melvin McCoy, United States Coast Artillery Major Steve M. Mellnik, United States Army Sergeants Paul H. Marshall and Robert Spielman, along with two Filipinos were able to escape from a POW work camp, Davao Region, in the Philippines. Over the course of the next few months, seven were transported a few at a time by submarine to Australia while three stayed behind to continue fighting with the guerrillas. Leo Boelens, was eventually killed by the Japanese. This was the only successful mass escape from a Japanese POW camp. Along with recon information provided by these men, they also provided some of the first reports of the atrocities inflicted upon United States military personnel by the Japanese.
Melvyn McCoy retired as Rear Admiral, United States Navy.
Jack Hawkins retired as Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Austin Conner Shofner retired as Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps.
William Edwin Dyess, Lieut. Colonel died during the war in California while making an emergency landing. In 1956, Abilene Air Force Base was renamed Dyess Air Force Base in his honor.
Samuel Charles Grashio retired as Colonel, United States Air Force.
United States Army Sergeant Paul Herman Marshall.
Michiel Dobervich retired as Lieut. Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Robert Blake Spielman retired as Colonel, United States Army.
2d Lieut., United States Army Leo A Boelens was eventually caught by the Japanese and killed.
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
Synopsis: Major (Coast Artillery Corps) Stephen Michael Mellnik (ASN: 0-18754), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, in action against enemy Japanese forces from April 4, 1943 to July 9, 1943 in the Philippine Islands. As a Prisoner of War, Major Mellnik was one of ten men including two Naval Officers, three Air Corps Officers and two Marine Corps Officers who escaped after nearly a year in captivity after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The ten men evaded their captors for days until connecting with Filipino Guerillas under Wendell Fertig. The officers remained with the guerillas for weeks, obtaining vital information which they carried with them when they were subsequently evacuated by American submarines. Their escape was the only mass escape from a Japanese prison camp during the war. Major Mellnik's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 47 (1943)
Action Date: April 4 - July 9, 1943
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Division: Prisoner of War
General Mellnik, World War II POW And Hero.
He was the son of Maxin Melnick (died 1952) and Mary Melnick. His parents were divorced as of the 1940 Census.
In June 1932 as Stephen M. Mellnick, he married Thelma D. Freas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
They were the parents of three children including Stephanie Mellnik Richards (1936-2002).
El Paso Times
El Paso, Texas. Retired Army Brigadier General Stephen Mellnik, whose escape from the Japanese during World War II brought first word of the horrors of the Bataan Death March, died Saturday, January 1 at Beaumont Army Medical Center. He was 86.
General Mellnik's article in Life magazine in February 1944 contained the first accounts of the atrocities committed by the Japanese on United States prisoners of war.
General Mellnik and thousands of other United States and Allied forces were captured on the tiny island of Corregidor when the Philippines were surrendered in May 1942. He was held in various Japanese prison camps until April 1943, when he and nine others escaped from the Davao penal colony in the southern Philippines.
The escapees hooked up with guerrilla forces fighting in the mountains. Eventually, they made radio contact with Allied forces in Australia, and in July 1943 made a daring rendezvous with a United States submarine off the southern Philippine coast. They were the first United States POWs to escape Japanese captivity.
His daring escape earned General Mellnik the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. His other awards included the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On April 4, 1943, American Air Corps pilots 2d Lieut. Samuel Grashio and Lieut. Colonel William Dyess, United States Army Air Corps Officer 2d Lieut. Leo Boelens, United States Marine Corp officers 1st Lieut. Michael Dobervich, Captain Austin Shofner and 1st Lieut. Jack Hawkins, United States Navy Lieut. Commander Melvin McCoy, United States Coast Artillery Major Steve M. Mellnik, United States Army Sergeants Paul H. Marshall and Robert Spielman, along with two Filipinos were able to escape from a POW work camp, Davao Region, in the Philippines. Over the course of the next few months, seven were transported a few at a time by submarine to Australia while three stayed behind to continue fighting with the guerrillas. Leo Boelens, was eventually killed by the Japanese. This was the only successful mass escape from a Japanese POW camp. Along with recon information provided by these men, they also provided some of the first reports of the atrocities inflicted upon United States military personnel by the Japanese.
Melvyn McCoy retired as Rear Admiral, United States Navy.
Jack Hawkins retired as Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Austin Conner Shofner retired as Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps.
William Edwin Dyess, Lieut. Colonel died during the war in California while making an emergency landing. In 1956, Abilene Air Force Base was renamed Dyess Air Force Base in his honor.
Samuel Charles Grashio retired as Colonel, United States Air Force.
United States Army Sergeant Paul Herman Marshall.
Michiel Dobervich retired as Lieut. Colonel, United States Marine Corps.
Robert Blake Spielman retired as Colonel, United States Army.
2d Lieut., United States Army Leo A Boelens was eventually caught by the Japanese and killed.
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
Synopsis: Major (Coast Artillery Corps) Stephen Michael Mellnik (ASN: 0-18754), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, in action against enemy Japanese forces from April 4, 1943 to July 9, 1943 in the Philippine Islands. As a Prisoner of War, Major Mellnik was one of ten men including two Naval Officers, three Air Corps Officers and two Marine Corps Officers who escaped after nearly a year in captivity after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The ten men evaded their captors for days until connecting with Filipino Guerillas under Wendell Fertig. The officers remained with the guerillas for weeks, obtaining vital information which they carried with them when they were subsequently evacuated by American submarines. Their escape was the only mass escape from a Japanese prison camp during the war. Major Mellnik's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 47 (1943)
Action Date: April 4 - July 9, 1943
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Division: Prisoner of War
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