1920 United States Federal Census (22 January 1920): Lincoln, Marion County, West Virginia (sheet 19B, family 380, Chatham Hill) – Jim Efishoff (1 West Virginia).
1930 United States Federal Census (22 April 1930): Ten Mile River Township, Mendocino County, California (sheet 10A, family 241, South East of Fort Bragg By-Roads) – Jim Efishoff (12 Pennsylvania).
James K. Efishoff enlisted as a Private (S/N 266058) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 24 June 1938 in San Francisco, California. He was transferred to Recruit Depot MCB, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 25 June 1938 to 06 September 1938
Company C, Recruit Depot Detachment, Recruit Depot, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California.
Private James K. Efishoff joined on 25 June 1938 from WRD, San Francisco, California, He was assigned to Company C, on 06 September 1938.
WITH SAN DIEGO MARINES
The following privates have joined the recruit depot for training: James K. Efishoff from San Francisco... Source: Evening Tribune (San Diego, California), Saturday, 02 July 1938, page 12.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 06 September 1938 to 04 March 1940
Company ''C', First Battalion, 6th Marines, Second Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California.
Private/Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He was given a furlough from 27- 02 January 1939. He was given another furlough from 21 June to 05 July 1939. In August his company moved to The Camp Kearney Combat Range in San Diego County, California. They were back at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California in September 1939. On the 5th of October 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 22 of December 1939 he was promoted to Private First Class. He also was given a furlough from 16-29 December 1939. On 21 February 1930 he extended his enlistment for one (1) year for general assignment to an Asiatic station. On 02 March 1940 he left San Diego, via U.S.S. BRIDGE and arrived at Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California on 04 March 1940.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 04 March 1940 to 22 March 1940
Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He left on 22 March 1940 "To Asiatic Station for general assignment via U.S.S. HENDERSON. 22 Embarked and 23 sailed from this NYd."
Private First Class James K. Efishoff was sent to Shanghai, China where he was assigned to Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines. They were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protect American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll 01 May 1940 to 27 November 1941
Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He arrived (and disembarked) aboard the U.S.S. HENDERSON at Shanghai, China on 01 May 1940. He promptly got sick and was in hospital from 02 May to 08 May 1940. On the 18th of July 1940 Jim qualified as a sharpshooter. He was back sick in hospital from 4-11 August 1940 and again from 7-9 September 1940 and from 15-3 December 1940 and 27 December to 31 January 1941. He was back sick in hospital from 19-25 April 1941.
On the 14th of November, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities
On Thursday, 27 November 1941, the 2nd Battalion boarded the SS PRESIDENT MADISON bound for Olongapo Navy Yard, Philippines. On 30 November the Madison arrived at Subic Bay. With relations between the United States and Japan deteriorating, the 4th Marines were given the task of protecting the Olongapo Naval Station. Source: From Shanghai to Corregidor: Marines in the Defense of the Philippines by J. Michael Miller.
On 08 December 1941 war with Japan broke out. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December 1941. The rapid advance of the Japanese led General Douglas MacArthur to abandon Manila and to declare it an open city on 26 December 1941 and order the withdraw of American and Filipino troops on Luzon to the Bataan peninsula. By the 26th the 2nd Battalion was moved to Mariveles, Bataan. "As night fell on 26 December all personnel, equipment, and supplies were in place in the jungle near Mariveles.
On 27 December 1941, just after dark, the 2nd Battalion was loaded on a minesweeper and lighters and taken over to Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I. Shortly after midnight the Marines and their equipment were completely unloaded on Corregidor. On 29 -30 December the 4th Marines moved from their barracks into field positions. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. The 2nd Battalion was moved into the west sector and the 3rd Battalion (where Efishoff was sent) was assigned the middle sector.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - December 1941 to 03 January 1942
Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. On 03 January 1941 he was transferred to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 03 January 1942 to 30 April 1942
Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class/Corporal James K. Efishoff. On the 18th of April 1942 he was promoted to Corporal.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away.
On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day.
Corporal James K. Efishoff became a prisoner of the Japanese and was taken to the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121. He was listed as "Missing in Action" on U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls through July 1943 when a letter was received that he was "In Hands of the Enemy" and that he had died of beriberi in a Japanese Prison Camp.
Norther Californians
Nine Listed Missing, 20 As Prisoners
The War Department yesterday listed nine Northern Californians...as missing in action, while the Navy Department announced names of 20 Northern Californians... who are prisoners of war...Other Northern California prisoners listed were: ... Corporal (USMC) James K. Efishoff, father, Harry Efishoff, Fort Bragg... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Thursday, 15 July 1943, page 5.
Marine Corporal James K. Efishoff (S/N 266058) was stricken in August 1942 with Beriberi. He died while being treated for it at 4:00 pm, 22 November 1942 in the prison hospital. He was one of 12 men to die that day. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
Four From State Are Navy Casualties
Four Northern Californians were on a Navy Department casualty list released yesterday. The men were Marine Corporal James K. Elfish of Fort Bragg, dead, previously reported missing ... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Tuesday, 20 July 1943, page 4.
He was buried in a communal grave (Grave #807) in the camp cemetery along with eleven other recently deceased American POWs. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. Only three of the eleven men buried in Grave #807 could be identified. The rest, including Corporal Efishoff, most likely are buried in the Manila American Cemetery as "Known but to God". There are 953 men like Corporal Efishoff who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD"
Corporal James Kim Efishoff is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marines at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
1930 United States Federal Census (22 April 1930): Ten Mile River Township, Mendocino County, California (sheet 10A, family 241, South East of Fort Bragg By-Roads) – Jim Efishoff (12 Pennsylvania).
James K. Efishoff enlisted as a Private (S/N 266058) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 24 June 1938 in San Francisco, California. He was transferred to Recruit Depot MCB, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 25 June 1938 to 06 September 1938
Company C, Recruit Depot Detachment, Recruit Depot, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California.
Private James K. Efishoff joined on 25 June 1938 from WRD, San Francisco, California, He was assigned to Company C, on 06 September 1938.
WITH SAN DIEGO MARINES
The following privates have joined the recruit depot for training: James K. Efishoff from San Francisco... Source: Evening Tribune (San Diego, California), Saturday, 02 July 1938, page 12.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 06 September 1938 to 04 March 1940
Company ''C', First Battalion, 6th Marines, Second Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California.
Private/Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He was given a furlough from 27- 02 January 1939. He was given another furlough from 21 June to 05 July 1939. In August his company moved to The Camp Kearney Combat Range in San Diego County, California. They were back at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California in September 1939. On the 5th of October 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 22 of December 1939 he was promoted to Private First Class. He also was given a furlough from 16-29 December 1939. On 21 February 1930 he extended his enlistment for one (1) year for general assignment to an Asiatic station. On 02 March 1940 he left San Diego, via U.S.S. BRIDGE and arrived at Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California on 04 March 1940.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 04 March 1940 to 22 March 1940
Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He left on 22 March 1940 "To Asiatic Station for general assignment via U.S.S. HENDERSON. 22 Embarked and 23 sailed from this NYd."
Private First Class James K. Efishoff was sent to Shanghai, China where he was assigned to Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines. They were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protect American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll 01 May 1940 to 27 November 1941
Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He arrived (and disembarked) aboard the U.S.S. HENDERSON at Shanghai, China on 01 May 1940. He promptly got sick and was in hospital from 02 May to 08 May 1940. On the 18th of July 1940 Jim qualified as a sharpshooter. He was back sick in hospital from 4-11 August 1940 and again from 7-9 September 1940 and from 15-3 December 1940 and 27 December to 31 January 1941. He was back sick in hospital from 19-25 April 1941.
On the 14th of November, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities
On Thursday, 27 November 1941, the 2nd Battalion boarded the SS PRESIDENT MADISON bound for Olongapo Navy Yard, Philippines. On 30 November the Madison arrived at Subic Bay. With relations between the United States and Japan deteriorating, the 4th Marines were given the task of protecting the Olongapo Naval Station. Source: From Shanghai to Corregidor: Marines in the Defense of the Philippines by J. Michael Miller.
On 08 December 1941 war with Japan broke out. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December 1941. The rapid advance of the Japanese led General Douglas MacArthur to abandon Manila and to declare it an open city on 26 December 1941 and order the withdraw of American and Filipino troops on Luzon to the Bataan peninsula. By the 26th the 2nd Battalion was moved to Mariveles, Bataan. "As night fell on 26 December all personnel, equipment, and supplies were in place in the jungle near Mariveles.
On 27 December 1941, just after dark, the 2nd Battalion was loaded on a minesweeper and lighters and taken over to Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I. Shortly after midnight the Marines and their equipment were completely unloaded on Corregidor. On 29 -30 December the 4th Marines moved from their barracks into field positions. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. The 2nd Battalion was moved into the west sector and the 3rd Battalion (where Efishoff was sent) was assigned the middle sector.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - December 1941 to 03 January 1942
Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. On 03 January 1941 he was transferred to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 03 January 1942 to 30 April 1942
Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class/Corporal James K. Efishoff. On the 18th of April 1942 he was promoted to Corporal.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away.
On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day.
Corporal James K. Efishoff became a prisoner of the Japanese and was taken to the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121. He was listed as "Missing in Action" on U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls through July 1943 when a letter was received that he was "In Hands of the Enemy" and that he had died of beriberi in a Japanese Prison Camp.
Norther Californians
Nine Listed Missing, 20 As Prisoners
The War Department yesterday listed nine Northern Californians...as missing in action, while the Navy Department announced names of 20 Northern Californians... who are prisoners of war...Other Northern California prisoners listed were: ... Corporal (USMC) James K. Efishoff, father, Harry Efishoff, Fort Bragg... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Thursday, 15 July 1943, page 5.
Marine Corporal James K. Efishoff (S/N 266058) was stricken in August 1942 with Beriberi. He died while being treated for it at 4:00 pm, 22 November 1942 in the prison hospital. He was one of 12 men to die that day. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
Four From State Are Navy Casualties
Four Northern Californians were on a Navy Department casualty list released yesterday. The men were Marine Corporal James K. Elfish of Fort Bragg, dead, previously reported missing ... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Tuesday, 20 July 1943, page 4.
He was buried in a communal grave (Grave #807) in the camp cemetery along with eleven other recently deceased American POWs. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. Only three of the eleven men buried in Grave #807 could be identified. The rest, including Corporal Efishoff, most likely are buried in the Manila American Cemetery as "Known but to God". There are 953 men like Corporal Efishoff who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD"
Corporal James Kim Efishoff is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marines at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
1920 United States Federal Census (22 January 1920): Lincoln, Marion County, West Virginia (sheet 19B, family 380, Chatham Hill) – Jim Efishoff (1 West Virginia).
1930 United States Federal Census (22 April 1930): Ten Mile River Township, Mendocino County, California (sheet 10A, family 241, South East of Fort Bragg By-Roads) – Jim Efishoff (12 Pennsylvania).
James K. Efishoff enlisted as a Private (S/N 266058) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 24 June 1938 in San Francisco, California. He was transferred to Recruit Depot MCB, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 25 June 1938 to 06 September 1938
Company C, Recruit Depot Detachment, Recruit Depot, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California.
Private James K. Efishoff joined on 25 June 1938 from WRD, San Francisco, California, He was assigned to Company C, on 06 September 1938.
WITH SAN DIEGO MARINES
The following privates have joined the recruit depot for training: James K. Efishoff from San Francisco... Source: Evening Tribune (San Diego, California), Saturday, 02 July 1938, page 12.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 06 September 1938 to 04 March 1940
Company ''C', First Battalion, 6th Marines, Second Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California.
Private/Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He was given a furlough from 27- 02 January 1939. He was given another furlough from 21 June to 05 July 1939. In August his company moved to The Camp Kearney Combat Range in San Diego County, California. They were back at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California in September 1939. On the 5th of October 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 22 of December 1939 he was promoted to Private First Class. He also was given a furlough from 16-29 December 1939. On 21 February 1930 he extended his enlistment for one (1) year for general assignment to an Asiatic station. On 02 March 1940 he left San Diego, via U.S.S. BRIDGE and arrived at Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California on 04 March 1940.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 04 March 1940 to 22 March 1940
Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He left on 22 March 1940 "To Asiatic Station for general assignment via U.S.S. HENDERSON. 22 Embarked and 23 sailed from this NYd."
Private First Class James K. Efishoff was sent to Shanghai, China where he was assigned to Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines. They were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protect American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll 01 May 1940 to 27 November 1941
Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He arrived (and disembarked) aboard the U.S.S. HENDERSON at Shanghai, China on 01 May 1940. He promptly got sick and was in hospital from 02 May to 08 May 1940. On the 18th of July 1940 Jim qualified as a sharpshooter. He was back sick in hospital from 4-11 August 1940 and again from 7-9 September 1940 and from 15-3 December 1940 and 27 December to 31 January 1941. He was back sick in hospital from 19-25 April 1941.
On the 14th of November, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities
On Thursday, 27 November 1941, the 2nd Battalion boarded the SS PRESIDENT MADISON bound for Olongapo Navy Yard, Philippines. On 30 November the Madison arrived at Subic Bay. With relations between the United States and Japan deteriorating, the 4th Marines were given the task of protecting the Olongapo Naval Station. Source: From Shanghai to Corregidor: Marines in the Defense of the Philippines by J. Michael Miller.
On 08 December 1941 war with Japan broke out. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December 1941. The rapid advance of the Japanese led General Douglas MacArthur to abandon Manila and to declare it an open city on 26 December 1941 and order the withdraw of American and Filipino troops on Luzon to the Bataan peninsula. By the 26th the 2nd Battalion was moved to Mariveles, Bataan. "As night fell on 26 December all personnel, equipment, and supplies were in place in the jungle near Mariveles.
On 27 December 1941, just after dark, the 2nd Battalion was loaded on a minesweeper and lighters and taken over to Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I. Shortly after midnight the Marines and their equipment were completely unloaded on Corregidor. On 29 -30 December the 4th Marines moved from their barracks into field positions. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. The 2nd Battalion was moved into the west sector and the 3rd Battalion (where Efishoff was sent) was assigned the middle sector.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - December 1941 to 03 January 1942
Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. On 03 January 1941 he was transferred to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 03 January 1942 to 30 April 1942
Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class/Corporal James K. Efishoff. On the 18th of April 1942 he was promoted to Corporal.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away.
On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day.
Corporal James K. Efishoff became a prisoner of the Japanese and was taken to the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121. He was listed as "Missing in Action" on U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls through July 1943 when a letter was received that he was "In Hands of the Enemy" and that he had died of beriberi in a Japanese Prison Camp.
Norther Californians
Nine Listed Missing, 20 As Prisoners
The War Department yesterday listed nine Northern Californians...as missing in action, while the Navy Department announced names of 20 Northern Californians... who are prisoners of war...Other Northern California prisoners listed were: ... Corporal (USMC) James K. Efishoff, father, Harry Efishoff, Fort Bragg... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Thursday, 15 July 1943, page 5.
Marine Corporal James K. Efishoff (S/N 266058) was stricken in August 1942 with Beriberi. He died while being treated for it at 4:00 pm, 22 November 1942 in the prison hospital. He was one of 12 men to die that day. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
Four From State Are Navy Casualties
Four Northern Californians were on a Navy Department casualty list released yesterday. The men were Marine Corporal James K. Elfish of Fort Bragg, dead, previously reported missing ... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Tuesday, 20 July 1943, page 4.
He was buried in a communal grave (Grave #807) in the camp cemetery along with eleven other recently deceased American POWs. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. Only three of the eleven men buried in Grave #807 could be identified. The rest, including Corporal Efishoff, most likely are buried in the Manila American Cemetery as "Known but to God". There are 953 men like Corporal Efishoff who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD"
Corporal James Kim Efishoff is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marines at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
1930 United States Federal Census (22 April 1930): Ten Mile River Township, Mendocino County, California (sheet 10A, family 241, South East of Fort Bragg By-Roads) – Jim Efishoff (12 Pennsylvania).
James K. Efishoff enlisted as a Private (S/N 266058) in the U.S. Marine Corps on 24 June 1938 in San Francisco, California. He was transferred to Recruit Depot MCB, San Diego, California.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 25 June 1938 to 06 September 1938
Company C, Recruit Depot Detachment, Recruit Depot, Base Troops, MCB, San Diego, California.
Private James K. Efishoff joined on 25 June 1938 from WRD, San Francisco, California, He was assigned to Company C, on 06 September 1938.
WITH SAN DIEGO MARINES
The following privates have joined the recruit depot for training: James K. Efishoff from San Francisco... Source: Evening Tribune (San Diego, California), Saturday, 02 July 1938, page 12.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 06 September 1938 to 04 March 1940
Company ''C', First Battalion, 6th Marines, Second Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California.
Private/Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He was given a furlough from 27- 02 January 1939. He was given another furlough from 21 June to 05 July 1939. In August his company moved to The Camp Kearney Combat Range in San Diego County, California. They were back at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego County, California in September 1939. On the 5th of October 1939 he qualified as a marksman. On 22 of December 1939 he was promoted to Private First Class. He also was given a furlough from 16-29 December 1939. On 21 February 1930 he extended his enlistment for one (1) year for general assignment to an Asiatic station. On 02 March 1940 he left San Diego, via U.S.S. BRIDGE and arrived at Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California on 04 March 1940.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 04 March 1940 to 22 March 1940
Casual Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He left on 22 March 1940 "To Asiatic Station for general assignment via U.S.S. HENDERSON. 22 Embarked and 23 sailed from this NYd."
Private First Class James K. Efishoff was sent to Shanghai, China where he was assigned to Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines. They were responsible for protecting the International Settlement in Shanghai. Their mission was to prevent fighting between Japanese and Chinese forces from spilling over into the International zone and protect American interests. Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls; A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970).
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll 01 May 1940 to 27 November 1941
Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines, Shanghai, China.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. He arrived (and disembarked) aboard the U.S.S. HENDERSON at Shanghai, China on 01 May 1940. He promptly got sick and was in hospital from 02 May to 08 May 1940. On the 18th of July 1940 Jim qualified as a sharpshooter. He was back sick in hospital from 4-11 August 1940 and again from 7-9 September 1940 and from 15-3 December 1940 and 27 December to 31 January 1941. He was back sick in hospital from 19-25 April 1941.
On the 14th of November, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that "The Government of the United States has decided to withdraw the American Marine detachments now maintained ashore in China..." Clouds of war were quickly closing in on the China Marines as Japan and the United States edged ever closer to active hostilities
On Thursday, 27 November 1941, the 2nd Battalion boarded the SS PRESIDENT MADISON bound for Olongapo Navy Yard, Philippines. On 30 November the Madison arrived at Subic Bay. With relations between the United States and Japan deteriorating, the 4th Marines were given the task of protecting the Olongapo Naval Station. Source: From Shanghai to Corregidor: Marines in the Defense of the Philippines by J. Michael Miller.
On 08 December 1941 war with Japan broke out. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December 1941. The rapid advance of the Japanese led General Douglas MacArthur to abandon Manila and to declare it an open city on 26 December 1941 and order the withdraw of American and Filipino troops on Luzon to the Bataan peninsula. By the 26th the 2nd Battalion was moved to Mariveles, Bataan. "As night fell on 26 December all personnel, equipment, and supplies were in place in the jungle near Mariveles.
On 27 December 1941, just after dark, the 2nd Battalion was loaded on a minesweeper and lighters and taken over to Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I. Shortly after midnight the Marines and their equipment were completely unloaded on Corregidor. On 29 -30 December the 4th Marines moved from their barracks into field positions. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. The 2nd Battalion was moved into the west sector and the 3rd Battalion (where Efishoff was sent) was assigned the middle sector.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - December 1941 to 03 January 1942
Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class James K. Efishoff. On 03 January 1941 he was transferred to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Roll - 03 January 1942 to 30 April 1942
Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Fort Mills, Corregidor, P. I.
Private First Class/Corporal James K. Efishoff. On the 18th of April 1942 he was promoted to Corporal.
On 09 April 1942, Filipino and U.S. forces on Bataan were surrendered and the Japanese were able to mass artillery for an all-out attack of the Rock from just 2 miles away.
On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day.
Corporal James K. Efishoff became a prisoner of the Japanese and was taken to the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121. He was listed as "Missing in Action" on U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls through July 1943 when a letter was received that he was "In Hands of the Enemy" and that he had died of beriberi in a Japanese Prison Camp.
Norther Californians
Nine Listed Missing, 20 As Prisoners
The War Department yesterday listed nine Northern Californians...as missing in action, while the Navy Department announced names of 20 Northern Californians... who are prisoners of war...Other Northern California prisoners listed were: ... Corporal (USMC) James K. Efishoff, father, Harry Efishoff, Fort Bragg... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Thursday, 15 July 1943, page 5.
Marine Corporal James K. Efishoff (S/N 266058) was stricken in August 1942 with Beriberi. He died while being treated for it at 4:00 pm, 22 November 1942 in the prison hospital. He was one of 12 men to die that day. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
Four From State Are Navy Casualties
Four Northern Californians were on a Navy Department casualty list released yesterday. The men were Marine Corporal James K. Elfish of Fort Bragg, dead, previously reported missing ... Source: San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), Tuesday, 20 July 1943, page 4.
He was buried in a communal grave (Grave #807) in the camp cemetery along with eleven other recently deceased American POWs. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. Only three of the eleven men buried in Grave #807 could be identified. The rest, including Corporal Efishoff, most likely are buried in the Manila American Cemetery as "Known but to God". There are 953 men like Corporal Efishoff who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD"
Corporal James Kim Efishoff is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Marines at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
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