Sherman P. Mac Donald
Service # 222750
Rank: First Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines
Entered Service From: California
Date of Death: 30 October 1942, of dysentery and malaria in the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121.
Status: Missing In Action. Most likely buried as a 'Unknown" in the Manila American Cemetery.
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
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1910 United States Federal Census (27 April 1910): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 5A, family 88) – Sherman MacDonald (4/12 California).
1920 United States Federal Census (08 January 1920): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 74, Grand Avenue) – Sherman P. MacDonald (10 California).
Wife, Mrs. Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig MacDonald (1898-1985) and stepson, Donald Craig.
Sherman Price MacDonald enlisted as a Private (S/N 222750) in the United States Marine Corps on 30 July 1929.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 30 July 1929 to 16 October 1929
"A" Company, Recruit Battalion, Receiving Depot, MB, Parris Island, South Carolina
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 16 October 1929 he was transferred to MB, Norfolk, NYd, Hampton Roads, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 October 1929 to 25 October 1929
Sea School Detachment, Marine Barracks, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined on 17 October 1929 from "A" Company. On 25 October 1929 he was transferred to MD, U.S.S. Utah.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 25 October 1929 to 31 October 1930
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Utah, Hampton Roads, Virginia/Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined from Sea School Detachment on 25 October 1929. The battleship conducted training cruises and fleet maneuvers. From January thru February 1930 they were stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. By March 1930 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. In May 1930 they were in Annapolis, Maryland. In June 1930 they were in Cherbourg, France. In July 1930 they were enroute back to Hampton Roads, Virginia. By August 1930 they were back at Hampton Roads, Virginia. In September 1930 they were stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia. On 31 October 1930 he was transferred to the U.S.S. Arizona also stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 31 October 1930 to 31 December 1931
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Arizona, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia/San Pedro, California.
Private/Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined the U.S.S. Arizona on 31 October 1930 from the U.S.S. Utah. On 01 February 1931 he was promoted to Private First Class. In March 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In April 1931 they were in Rockland, Maine. In May 1931 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. On 01-19 June 1931 he was chauffeur Ship's Services Car. and from 20-30 June he had Detachment duty Rifle Range Detachment, Quantico, Virginia for SATP. In August 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in San Pedro, California. From 18-27 December 1931 Sherman was given a furlough.
He was transferred to Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – February 1932 to 16 March 1933
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H./Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). The armored cruiser Rochester (CA-2) departed Balboa 25 February 1932 for service in the Pacific Fleet. Sherman was given a short furlough from 05-08 March 1932 in Hawaii. The U.S.S. Rochester arrived in Shanghai, China 27 April 1932, to join the fleet in the Yangtze River in June. She became the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. On 17 March 1933 he was transferred to the 4th Marines MCEF, Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 March 1933 to 27 November 1933
Company ''D'', 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Marine Corps Expeditionary Force (M. C. E. F.), Shanghai, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "D" on 17 March 1933 from Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, at Shanghai, China – the "China Marines." He was in the Regimental Hospital in Shanghai, from 14-21 June 1933 and again 30 August - 04 September 1933. On 23 November 1933 he was transferred to MDAL, Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. They sailed on the 24th from Woosung, China.
The Marines 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 protecting 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 Rolls – 27 November 1933 to 09 December 1934
Company "B", Marine Detachment, American Legation, Peiping, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "B"in Peiping on 27 November 1933 from Company "D", Shanghai via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. He was sick in the Post Dispensary from 09-31 August 1934. From 21-26 November 1934 he was one special temporary duty at Tientsin, China, in connection with practice firing of 5" Navy Guns thereat. On 09 December 1934 he was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT sailing from Chinwangtao, China, 10 December 1934.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 29 January 1935 to 02 February 1935
Guard Company #1, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Guard Company #1 on 29 January 1935 from Company "B", Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. On 02 February 1935 he was transferred to MCB, NOB, San Diego, California. Before he joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company he was given a furlough from 06-10 February 1935.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 11 February 1935 to 18 February 1935
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company on 11 February 1935 from furlough. On 18 February 1935 he was transferred to Company "G" same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 18 February 1935 to 14 August 1937
Company "G", 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Brigade, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class/Corporal Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "G" on 18 February 1935 from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, same post. He was given a furlough from 22-31 July 1935. On 25 August 1935 he was given an honorable discharge. E of E Character: Excellent, Awarded Good Conduct Medal. The next day, 26 August 1935, Sherman P. MacDonald reenlisted at post, in rank. He was given a furlough from 18 November 1935 thru 14 February 1936. He was sick in USN hospital, San Diego 30 April 1936 through 18 June 1936. On 20 April 1937 he was promoted to Corporal. On 14 August 1937, Corporal MacDonald was transferred to MD, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California, via the U.S.S. BRANT and sailed on board the U.S.S. BRANT same date.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 26 August 1937 to 28 February 1937
Marine Barracks, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California
Corporal/Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He had joined the Marine Barracks at Reeves Field from Company "G", in San Diego, California. Sherman had embarked aboard the U.S.S BRANT and sailed from San Diego, California 14 August 1937. He arrived and disembarked at San Pedro, California the same date. He was the company clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 March 1938 to 30 September 1938
Marine Detachment, Fleet Air Base, San Pedro, California
Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750).
On 07 March 1938 he was promoted to Sergeant (Auth: MGC Ltr No. 2165-15/7-582). He was still serving as the company clerk. From 06-20 May 1938 he was acting 1st Sergeant. From 21 May - 03 June 1938 he was on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. From 22 July thru September 1939 he was back as acting 1st Sergeant. At different times during that period he was also the "NCO in Charge of Detachment." On 01 February 1939 he was designated the Navy Mail Clerk (Auth: Ltr P.O. Dept. No. IPB M-6431 dated 13 January 1938). He "entered on duties as NMC 1Feb39." On 26 August 1939 he reenlisted in rank. Character: Excellent; Awarded: Good Conduct Medal. He then went on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. By September he was back as Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 October 1939 to 03 April 1941
Marine Detachment, Naval Air Station, San Pedro, Terminal Island, California
Sergeant/Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk. By January 1940 he was just serving as Navy Mail Clerk (Class II).
Sherman P. MacDonald married widow, Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig about 1938. She had two sons. Vivian had been married to Hawthorne, California Chief of Police Vernon Patton Craig. He had died on 03 November 1937 in Los Angeles County, California. She was the daughter of Loran Jordan Pritchett and Clara Augusta "Calla" Pritchett (that was her maiden name as well as married name).
Sherman MacDonald (32 California) is found in the 1940 United States Federal Census (12 April 1940) for Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 3B, household 66, 357 South Rosele Street) along with his wife, Vivian Craig MacDonald (40 Missouri, secretary, City Engineer) and stepson, Donald Craig (18 Illinois, Apprentice, Aircraft). Sherman had completed 2 years of high school, Vivian finished four years of high school. He was in the United States Marines and working as a Post Office Clerk for the Naval Air Fleet.
On 05 August 1940 he was promoted to Platoon Sergeant. On 03 April 1941 Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, on his way to Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 July 1941 to 03 July 1941
Company "E", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F", same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 03 July 1941 to 27 November 1941
Company "F", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F" from Company "E", same post. From 07-31 July he was on temporary duty at Riverside Power Station, Shanghai, China.
He served as the senior NCO of Fox Company.
On the 14th of November, 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.
Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December. 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 Bataan. 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.
Over the next couple of days the Fourth Marines were transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (MacDonald's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – January 1942 to to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Corregidor, Philippine Islands
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). 1st Sgt. of Company. 1-14 January 1942 he was Platoon Sergeant of 2nd Platoon; 15-31 January 1942 he was on temporary duty with Headquarters, USAFFE, on Bataan Peninsula. In March 1942, 1st. Sgt. MacDonald "took ill with dysentery" while on Bataan.
1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald was initially listed as missing in action (01 June 1942).
Southland Naval Casualties Listed
Seven Men Reported Dead and 137 Missing in Action From April 16 to May 10
Seven residents of the Los Angeles metropolitan area were listed as dead and 137 as missing in the latest Navy casualty list, released yesterday by officials.
All those named were killed or missing in action from April 16 to May 10 inclusive...The list of missing follows: ... HAWTHORNE – Sherman MacDonald, first sergeant, Marine Corps; wife, 357 Roselle Ave ... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Tuesday, 02 June 1942, page 5.
The appalling conditions in the camp took their toll, and at 10:00 am on 03 October 1942, 1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750), age 32, 4th Marines, succumbed to a lethal combination of dysentery and malaria in Barracks 9, Hospital Area. His home address: 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorn, California; Next of Kin: wife, Vivian MacDonald, same address. Sherman had no belongings. 1st Sgt. MacDonald was one of 8 prisoners to die that day, the 1855th prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years. He was buried in a common grave with six other men in the prison cemetery – Plot 5, Grave 504.
He was already dead by April 1943 when he was officially listed as "In Hands of the Enemy."
Sixty Listed as Prisoners
Sixty Southern California members of the Marine Corps taken as prisoners by the Japanese, mostly in the Philippine Islands, were named in a list made public yesterday by the Navy Department...Nearly 300 Californians were named in the list, which totaled 952 for the entire nation, bringing the total number of confirmed prisoners of war announced by the naval services to 3256.
The local prisoners and their next of kin are: ... First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald; wife, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Wednesday, 26 May 1943, pages 1 and 23.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01-31 July 1943
Prisoners of War and Missing Persons Detachment, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald. 01-06 July 1943, In Hands of the Enemy, 07 July 1943, "ltr fr CMC reports MacDonald died on the *29 June 1943 of Malaria in a Japanese Prison Camp. Cause of death unknown. GO#20 does not apply. Char. Exc." *He died on 03 October 1942.
Navy Reports Names of 11 War Casualties
WASHINGTON, July 10. – (AP) – The navy announced today 11 casualties, including three dead, one wounded and seven missing.
In addition eight names are listed whose status has changed from prisoner to dead and one from missing to dead.
This brings to 27,066 the total of navy, marine corps and coast guard casualties reported to next of kin since December 7, 1941. The grand total includes 8,232 dead, 4,736 wounded, 10,513 missing, and 3,585 prisoners of war.
The casualties announced today include:
California – First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald, Marine. (Reported prisoner 25 May 1943). He leaves his widow, Mrs. Sherman P. MacDonald, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne. Source: The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 17 and The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 13.
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. All but two – MacDonald and S/Sgt. Carl F. Abbott of the 194th Tank Battalion – were identified. 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. First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald is most likely buried in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) as a "Known but to God." There are 953 men like Sgt. MacDonald 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"
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
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Shortly after his death, Sherman's widow, Vivian V. MacDonald (1898 Missouri), a resident of Los Angeles County, California, enlisted (S/N A-901473) in the Women's Army Corps on on 26 March 1943 in Los Angeles, California. She had completed 4 years of high school and had been working as a general office clerk.
Widow, Vivian Viola MacDonald (26 June 1898 St. Louis, Missouri, 19 September 1985 Susanville, Lassen County, California) never remarried.
Service # 222750
Rank: First Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines
Entered Service From: California
Date of Death: 30 October 1942, of dysentery and malaria in the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121.
Status: Missing In Action. Most likely buried as a 'Unknown" in the Manila American Cemetery.
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
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1910 United States Federal Census (27 April 1910): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 5A, family 88) – Sherman MacDonald (4/12 California).
1920 United States Federal Census (08 January 1920): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 74, Grand Avenue) – Sherman P. MacDonald (10 California).
Wife, Mrs. Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig MacDonald (1898-1985) and stepson, Donald Craig.
Sherman Price MacDonald enlisted as a Private (S/N 222750) in the United States Marine Corps on 30 July 1929.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 30 July 1929 to 16 October 1929
"A" Company, Recruit Battalion, Receiving Depot, MB, Parris Island, South Carolina
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 16 October 1929 he was transferred to MB, Norfolk, NYd, Hampton Roads, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 October 1929 to 25 October 1929
Sea School Detachment, Marine Barracks, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined on 17 October 1929 from "A" Company. On 25 October 1929 he was transferred to MD, U.S.S. Utah.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 25 October 1929 to 31 October 1930
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Utah, Hampton Roads, Virginia/Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined from Sea School Detachment on 25 October 1929. The battleship conducted training cruises and fleet maneuvers. From January thru February 1930 they were stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. By March 1930 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. In May 1930 they were in Annapolis, Maryland. In June 1930 they were in Cherbourg, France. In July 1930 they were enroute back to Hampton Roads, Virginia. By August 1930 they were back at Hampton Roads, Virginia. In September 1930 they were stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia. On 31 October 1930 he was transferred to the U.S.S. Arizona also stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 31 October 1930 to 31 December 1931
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Arizona, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia/San Pedro, California.
Private/Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined the U.S.S. Arizona on 31 October 1930 from the U.S.S. Utah. On 01 February 1931 he was promoted to Private First Class. In March 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In April 1931 they were in Rockland, Maine. In May 1931 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. On 01-19 June 1931 he was chauffeur Ship's Services Car. and from 20-30 June he had Detachment duty Rifle Range Detachment, Quantico, Virginia for SATP. In August 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in San Pedro, California. From 18-27 December 1931 Sherman was given a furlough.
He was transferred to Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – February 1932 to 16 March 1933
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H./Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). The armored cruiser Rochester (CA-2) departed Balboa 25 February 1932 for service in the Pacific Fleet. Sherman was given a short furlough from 05-08 March 1932 in Hawaii. The U.S.S. Rochester arrived in Shanghai, China 27 April 1932, to join the fleet in the Yangtze River in June. She became the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. On 17 March 1933 he was transferred to the 4th Marines MCEF, Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 March 1933 to 27 November 1933
Company ''D'', 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Marine Corps Expeditionary Force (M. C. E. F.), Shanghai, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "D" on 17 March 1933 from Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, at Shanghai, China – the "China Marines." He was in the Regimental Hospital in Shanghai, from 14-21 June 1933 and again 30 August - 04 September 1933. On 23 November 1933 he was transferred to MDAL, Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. They sailed on the 24th from Woosung, China.
The Marines 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 protecting 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 Rolls – 27 November 1933 to 09 December 1934
Company "B", Marine Detachment, American Legation, Peiping, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "B"in Peiping on 27 November 1933 from Company "D", Shanghai via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. He was sick in the Post Dispensary from 09-31 August 1934. From 21-26 November 1934 he was one special temporary duty at Tientsin, China, in connection with practice firing of 5" Navy Guns thereat. On 09 December 1934 he was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT sailing from Chinwangtao, China, 10 December 1934.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 29 January 1935 to 02 February 1935
Guard Company #1, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Guard Company #1 on 29 January 1935 from Company "B", Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. On 02 February 1935 he was transferred to MCB, NOB, San Diego, California. Before he joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company he was given a furlough from 06-10 February 1935.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 11 February 1935 to 18 February 1935
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company on 11 February 1935 from furlough. On 18 February 1935 he was transferred to Company "G" same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 18 February 1935 to 14 August 1937
Company "G", 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Brigade, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class/Corporal Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "G" on 18 February 1935 from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, same post. He was given a furlough from 22-31 July 1935. On 25 August 1935 he was given an honorable discharge. E of E Character: Excellent, Awarded Good Conduct Medal. The next day, 26 August 1935, Sherman P. MacDonald reenlisted at post, in rank. He was given a furlough from 18 November 1935 thru 14 February 1936. He was sick in USN hospital, San Diego 30 April 1936 through 18 June 1936. On 20 April 1937 he was promoted to Corporal. On 14 August 1937, Corporal MacDonald was transferred to MD, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California, via the U.S.S. BRANT and sailed on board the U.S.S. BRANT same date.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 26 August 1937 to 28 February 1937
Marine Barracks, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California
Corporal/Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He had joined the Marine Barracks at Reeves Field from Company "G", in San Diego, California. Sherman had embarked aboard the U.S.S BRANT and sailed from San Diego, California 14 August 1937. He arrived and disembarked at San Pedro, California the same date. He was the company clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 March 1938 to 30 September 1938
Marine Detachment, Fleet Air Base, San Pedro, California
Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750).
On 07 March 1938 he was promoted to Sergeant (Auth: MGC Ltr No. 2165-15/7-582). He was still serving as the company clerk. From 06-20 May 1938 he was acting 1st Sergeant. From 21 May - 03 June 1938 he was on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. From 22 July thru September 1939 he was back as acting 1st Sergeant. At different times during that period he was also the "NCO in Charge of Detachment." On 01 February 1939 he was designated the Navy Mail Clerk (Auth: Ltr P.O. Dept. No. IPB M-6431 dated 13 January 1938). He "entered on duties as NMC 1Feb39." On 26 August 1939 he reenlisted in rank. Character: Excellent; Awarded: Good Conduct Medal. He then went on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. By September he was back as Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 October 1939 to 03 April 1941
Marine Detachment, Naval Air Station, San Pedro, Terminal Island, California
Sergeant/Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk. By January 1940 he was just serving as Navy Mail Clerk (Class II).
Sherman P. MacDonald married widow, Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig about 1938. She had two sons. Vivian had been married to Hawthorne, California Chief of Police Vernon Patton Craig. He had died on 03 November 1937 in Los Angeles County, California. She was the daughter of Loran Jordan Pritchett and Clara Augusta "Calla" Pritchett (that was her maiden name as well as married name).
Sherman MacDonald (32 California) is found in the 1940 United States Federal Census (12 April 1940) for Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 3B, household 66, 357 South Rosele Street) along with his wife, Vivian Craig MacDonald (40 Missouri, secretary, City Engineer) and stepson, Donald Craig (18 Illinois, Apprentice, Aircraft). Sherman had completed 2 years of high school, Vivian finished four years of high school. He was in the United States Marines and working as a Post Office Clerk for the Naval Air Fleet.
On 05 August 1940 he was promoted to Platoon Sergeant. On 03 April 1941 Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, on his way to Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 July 1941 to 03 July 1941
Company "E", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F", same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 03 July 1941 to 27 November 1941
Company "F", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F" from Company "E", same post. From 07-31 July he was on temporary duty at Riverside Power Station, Shanghai, China.
He served as the senior NCO of Fox Company.
On the 14th of November, 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.
Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December. 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 Bataan. 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.
Over the next couple of days the Fourth Marines were transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (MacDonald's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – January 1942 to to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Corregidor, Philippine Islands
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). 1st Sgt. of Company. 1-14 January 1942 he was Platoon Sergeant of 2nd Platoon; 15-31 January 1942 he was on temporary duty with Headquarters, USAFFE, on Bataan Peninsula. In March 1942, 1st. Sgt. MacDonald "took ill with dysentery" while on Bataan.
1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald was initially listed as missing in action (01 June 1942).
Southland Naval Casualties Listed
Seven Men Reported Dead and 137 Missing in Action From April 16 to May 10
Seven residents of the Los Angeles metropolitan area were listed as dead and 137 as missing in the latest Navy casualty list, released yesterday by officials.
All those named were killed or missing in action from April 16 to May 10 inclusive...The list of missing follows: ... HAWTHORNE – Sherman MacDonald, first sergeant, Marine Corps; wife, 357 Roselle Ave ... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Tuesday, 02 June 1942, page 5.
The appalling conditions in the camp took their toll, and at 10:00 am on 03 October 1942, 1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750), age 32, 4th Marines, succumbed to a lethal combination of dysentery and malaria in Barracks 9, Hospital Area. His home address: 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorn, California; Next of Kin: wife, Vivian MacDonald, same address. Sherman had no belongings. 1st Sgt. MacDonald was one of 8 prisoners to die that day, the 1855th prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years. He was buried in a common grave with six other men in the prison cemetery – Plot 5, Grave 504.
He was already dead by April 1943 when he was officially listed as "In Hands of the Enemy."
Sixty Listed as Prisoners
Sixty Southern California members of the Marine Corps taken as prisoners by the Japanese, mostly in the Philippine Islands, were named in a list made public yesterday by the Navy Department...Nearly 300 Californians were named in the list, which totaled 952 for the entire nation, bringing the total number of confirmed prisoners of war announced by the naval services to 3256.
The local prisoners and their next of kin are: ... First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald; wife, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Wednesday, 26 May 1943, pages 1 and 23.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01-31 July 1943
Prisoners of War and Missing Persons Detachment, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald. 01-06 July 1943, In Hands of the Enemy, 07 July 1943, "ltr fr CMC reports MacDonald died on the *29 June 1943 of Malaria in a Japanese Prison Camp. Cause of death unknown. GO#20 does not apply. Char. Exc." *He died on 03 October 1942.
Navy Reports Names of 11 War Casualties
WASHINGTON, July 10. – (AP) – The navy announced today 11 casualties, including three dead, one wounded and seven missing.
In addition eight names are listed whose status has changed from prisoner to dead and one from missing to dead.
This brings to 27,066 the total of navy, marine corps and coast guard casualties reported to next of kin since December 7, 1941. The grand total includes 8,232 dead, 4,736 wounded, 10,513 missing, and 3,585 prisoners of war.
The casualties announced today include:
California – First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald, Marine. (Reported prisoner 25 May 1943). He leaves his widow, Mrs. Sherman P. MacDonald, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne. Source: The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 17 and The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 13.
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. All but two – MacDonald and S/Sgt. Carl F. Abbott of the 194th Tank Battalion – were identified. 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. First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald is most likely buried in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) as a "Known but to God." There are 953 men like Sgt. MacDonald 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"
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
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Shortly after his death, Sherman's widow, Vivian V. MacDonald (1898 Missouri), a resident of Los Angeles County, California, enlisted (S/N A-901473) in the Women's Army Corps on on 26 March 1943 in Los Angeles, California. She had completed 4 years of high school and had been working as a general office clerk.
Widow, Vivian Viola MacDonald (26 June 1898 St. Louis, Missouri, 19 September 1985 Susanville, Lassen County, California) never remarried.
Sherman P. Mac Donald
Service # 222750
Rank: First Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines
Entered Service From: California
Date of Death: 30 October 1942, of dysentery and malaria in the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121.
Status: Missing In Action. Most likely buried as a 'Unknown" in the Manila American Cemetery.
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
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1910 United States Federal Census (27 April 1910): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 5A, family 88) – Sherman MacDonald (4/12 California).
1920 United States Federal Census (08 January 1920): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 74, Grand Avenue) – Sherman P. MacDonald (10 California).
Wife, Mrs. Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig MacDonald (1898-1985) and stepson, Donald Craig.
Sherman Price MacDonald enlisted as a Private (S/N 222750) in the United States Marine Corps on 30 July 1929.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 30 July 1929 to 16 October 1929
"A" Company, Recruit Battalion, Receiving Depot, MB, Parris Island, South Carolina
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 16 October 1929 he was transferred to MB, Norfolk, NYd, Hampton Roads, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 October 1929 to 25 October 1929
Sea School Detachment, Marine Barracks, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined on 17 October 1929 from "A" Company. On 25 October 1929 he was transferred to MD, U.S.S. Utah.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 25 October 1929 to 31 October 1930
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Utah, Hampton Roads, Virginia/Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined from Sea School Detachment on 25 October 1929. The battleship conducted training cruises and fleet maneuvers. From January thru February 1930 they were stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. By March 1930 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. In May 1930 they were in Annapolis, Maryland. In June 1930 they were in Cherbourg, France. In July 1930 they were enroute back to Hampton Roads, Virginia. By August 1930 they were back at Hampton Roads, Virginia. In September 1930 they were stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia. On 31 October 1930 he was transferred to the U.S.S. Arizona also stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 31 October 1930 to 31 December 1931
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Arizona, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia/San Pedro, California.
Private/Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined the U.S.S. Arizona on 31 October 1930 from the U.S.S. Utah. On 01 February 1931 he was promoted to Private First Class. In March 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In April 1931 they were in Rockland, Maine. In May 1931 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. On 01-19 June 1931 he was chauffeur Ship's Services Car. and from 20-30 June he had Detachment duty Rifle Range Detachment, Quantico, Virginia for SATP. In August 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in San Pedro, California. From 18-27 December 1931 Sherman was given a furlough.
He was transferred to Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – February 1932 to 16 March 1933
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H./Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). The armored cruiser Rochester (CA-2) departed Balboa 25 February 1932 for service in the Pacific Fleet. Sherman was given a short furlough from 05-08 March 1932 in Hawaii. The U.S.S. Rochester arrived in Shanghai, China 27 April 1932, to join the fleet in the Yangtze River in June. She became the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. On 17 March 1933 he was transferred to the 4th Marines MCEF, Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 March 1933 to 27 November 1933
Company ''D'', 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Marine Corps Expeditionary Force (M. C. E. F.), Shanghai, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "D" on 17 March 1933 from Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, at Shanghai, China – the "China Marines." He was in the Regimental Hospital in Shanghai, from 14-21 June 1933 and again 30 August - 04 September 1933. On 23 November 1933 he was transferred to MDAL, Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. They sailed on the 24th from Woosung, China.
The Marines 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 protecting 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 Rolls – 27 November 1933 to 09 December 1934
Company "B", Marine Detachment, American Legation, Peiping, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "B"in Peiping on 27 November 1933 from Company "D", Shanghai via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. He was sick in the Post Dispensary from 09-31 August 1934. From 21-26 November 1934 he was one special temporary duty at Tientsin, China, in connection with practice firing of 5" Navy Guns thereat. On 09 December 1934 he was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT sailing from Chinwangtao, China, 10 December 1934.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 29 January 1935 to 02 February 1935
Guard Company #1, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Guard Company #1 on 29 January 1935 from Company "B", Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. On 02 February 1935 he was transferred to MCB, NOB, San Diego, California. Before he joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company he was given a furlough from 06-10 February 1935.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 11 February 1935 to 18 February 1935
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company on 11 February 1935 from furlough. On 18 February 1935 he was transferred to Company "G" same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 18 February 1935 to 14 August 1937
Company "G", 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Brigade, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class/Corporal Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "G" on 18 February 1935 from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, same post. He was given a furlough from 22-31 July 1935. On 25 August 1935 he was given an honorable discharge. E of E Character: Excellent, Awarded Good Conduct Medal. The next day, 26 August 1935, Sherman P. MacDonald reenlisted at post, in rank. He was given a furlough from 18 November 1935 thru 14 February 1936. He was sick in USN hospital, San Diego 30 April 1936 through 18 June 1936. On 20 April 1937 he was promoted to Corporal. On 14 August 1937, Corporal MacDonald was transferred to MD, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California, via the U.S.S. BRANT and sailed on board the U.S.S. BRANT same date.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 26 August 1937 to 28 February 1937
Marine Barracks, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California
Corporal/Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He had joined the Marine Barracks at Reeves Field from Company "G", in San Diego, California. Sherman had embarked aboard the U.S.S BRANT and sailed from San Diego, California 14 August 1937. He arrived and disembarked at San Pedro, California the same date. He was the company clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 March 1938 to 30 September 1938
Marine Detachment, Fleet Air Base, San Pedro, California
Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750).
On 07 March 1938 he was promoted to Sergeant (Auth: MGC Ltr No. 2165-15/7-582). He was still serving as the company clerk. From 06-20 May 1938 he was acting 1st Sergeant. From 21 May - 03 June 1938 he was on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. From 22 July thru September 1939 he was back as acting 1st Sergeant. At different times during that period he was also the "NCO in Charge of Detachment." On 01 February 1939 he was designated the Navy Mail Clerk (Auth: Ltr P.O. Dept. No. IPB M-6431 dated 13 January 1938). He "entered on duties as NMC 1Feb39." On 26 August 1939 he reenlisted in rank. Character: Excellent; Awarded: Good Conduct Medal. He then went on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. By September he was back as Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 October 1939 to 03 April 1941
Marine Detachment, Naval Air Station, San Pedro, Terminal Island, California
Sergeant/Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk. By January 1940 he was just serving as Navy Mail Clerk (Class II).
Sherman P. MacDonald married widow, Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig about 1938. She had two sons. Vivian had been married to Hawthorne, California Chief of Police Vernon Patton Craig. He had died on 03 November 1937 in Los Angeles County, California. She was the daughter of Loran Jordan Pritchett and Clara Augusta "Calla" Pritchett (that was her maiden name as well as married name).
Sherman MacDonald (32 California) is found in the 1940 United States Federal Census (12 April 1940) for Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 3B, household 66, 357 South Rosele Street) along with his wife, Vivian Craig MacDonald (40 Missouri, secretary, City Engineer) and stepson, Donald Craig (18 Illinois, Apprentice, Aircraft). Sherman had completed 2 years of high school, Vivian finished four years of high school. He was in the United States Marines and working as a Post Office Clerk for the Naval Air Fleet.
On 05 August 1940 he was promoted to Platoon Sergeant. On 03 April 1941 Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, on his way to Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 July 1941 to 03 July 1941
Company "E", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F", same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 03 July 1941 to 27 November 1941
Company "F", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F" from Company "E", same post. From 07-31 July he was on temporary duty at Riverside Power Station, Shanghai, China.
He served as the senior NCO of Fox Company.
On the 14th of November, 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.
Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December. 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 Bataan. 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.
Over the next couple of days the Fourth Marines were transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (MacDonald's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – January 1942 to to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Corregidor, Philippine Islands
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). 1st Sgt. of Company. 1-14 January 1942 he was Platoon Sergeant of 2nd Platoon; 15-31 January 1942 he was on temporary duty with Headquarters, USAFFE, on Bataan Peninsula. In March 1942, 1st. Sgt. MacDonald "took ill with dysentery" while on Bataan.
1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald was initially listed as missing in action (01 June 1942).
Southland Naval Casualties Listed
Seven Men Reported Dead and 137 Missing in Action From April 16 to May 10
Seven residents of the Los Angeles metropolitan area were listed as dead and 137 as missing in the latest Navy casualty list, released yesterday by officials.
All those named were killed or missing in action from April 16 to May 10 inclusive...The list of missing follows: ... HAWTHORNE – Sherman MacDonald, first sergeant, Marine Corps; wife, 357 Roselle Ave ... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Tuesday, 02 June 1942, page 5.
The appalling conditions in the camp took their toll, and at 10:00 am on 03 October 1942, 1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750), age 32, 4th Marines, succumbed to a lethal combination of dysentery and malaria in Barracks 9, Hospital Area. His home address: 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorn, California; Next of Kin: wife, Vivian MacDonald, same address. Sherman had no belongings. 1st Sgt. MacDonald was one of 8 prisoners to die that day, the 1855th prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years. He was buried in a common grave with six other men in the prison cemetery – Plot 5, Grave 504.
He was already dead by April 1943 when he was officially listed as "In Hands of the Enemy."
Sixty Listed as Prisoners
Sixty Southern California members of the Marine Corps taken as prisoners by the Japanese, mostly in the Philippine Islands, were named in a list made public yesterday by the Navy Department...Nearly 300 Californians were named in the list, which totaled 952 for the entire nation, bringing the total number of confirmed prisoners of war announced by the naval services to 3256.
The local prisoners and their next of kin are: ... First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald; wife, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Wednesday, 26 May 1943, pages 1 and 23.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01-31 July 1943
Prisoners of War and Missing Persons Detachment, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald. 01-06 July 1943, In Hands of the Enemy, 07 July 1943, "ltr fr CMC reports MacDonald died on the *29 June 1943 of Malaria in a Japanese Prison Camp. Cause of death unknown. GO#20 does not apply. Char. Exc." *He died on 03 October 1942.
Navy Reports Names of 11 War Casualties
WASHINGTON, July 10. – (AP) – The navy announced today 11 casualties, including three dead, one wounded and seven missing.
In addition eight names are listed whose status has changed from prisoner to dead and one from missing to dead.
This brings to 27,066 the total of navy, marine corps and coast guard casualties reported to next of kin since December 7, 1941. The grand total includes 8,232 dead, 4,736 wounded, 10,513 missing, and 3,585 prisoners of war.
The casualties announced today include:
California – First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald, Marine. (Reported prisoner 25 May 1943). He leaves his widow, Mrs. Sherman P. MacDonald, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne. Source: The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 17 and The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 13.
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. All but two – MacDonald and S/Sgt. Carl F. Abbott of the 194th Tank Battalion – were identified. 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. First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald is most likely buried in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) as a "Known but to God." There are 953 men like Sgt. MacDonald 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"
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shortly after his death, Sherman's widow, Vivian V. MacDonald (1898 Missouri), a resident of Los Angeles County, California, enlisted (S/N A-901473) in the Women's Army Corps on on 26 March 1943 in Los Angeles, California. She had completed 4 years of high school and had been working as a general office clerk.
Widow, Vivian Viola MacDonald (26 June 1898 St. Louis, Missouri, 19 September 1985 Susanville, Lassen County, California) never remarried.
Service # 222750
Rank: First Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company F, Second Battalion, 4th Marines
Entered Service From: California
Date of Death: 30 October 1942, of dysentery and malaria in the Japanese POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121.
Status: Missing In Action. Most likely buried as a 'Unknown" in the Manila American Cemetery.
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1910 United States Federal Census (27 April 1910): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 5A, family 88) – Sherman MacDonald (4/12 California).
1920 United States Federal Census (08 January 1920): Escondido Township, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 74, Grand Avenue) – Sherman P. MacDonald (10 California).
Wife, Mrs. Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig MacDonald (1898-1985) and stepson, Donald Craig.
Sherman Price MacDonald enlisted as a Private (S/N 222750) in the United States Marine Corps on 30 July 1929.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 30 July 1929 to 16 October 1929
"A" Company, Recruit Battalion, Receiving Depot, MB, Parris Island, South Carolina
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 16 October 1929 he was transferred to MB, Norfolk, NYd, Hampton Roads, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 October 1929 to 25 October 1929
Sea School Detachment, Marine Barracks, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined on 17 October 1929 from "A" Company. On 25 October 1929 he was transferred to MD, U.S.S. Utah.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 25 October 1929 to 31 October 1930
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Utah, Hampton Roads, Virginia/Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Private Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined from Sea School Detachment on 25 October 1929. The battleship conducted training cruises and fleet maneuvers. From January thru February 1930 they were stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. By March 1930 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. In May 1930 they were in Annapolis, Maryland. In June 1930 they were in Cherbourg, France. In July 1930 they were enroute back to Hampton Roads, Virginia. By August 1930 they were back at Hampton Roads, Virginia. In September 1930 they were stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia. On 31 October 1930 he was transferred to the U.S.S. Arizona also stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 31 October 1930 to 31 December 1931
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Arizona, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia/San Pedro, California.
Private/Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined the U.S.S. Arizona on 31 October 1930 from the U.S.S. Utah. On 01 February 1931 he was promoted to Private First Class. In March 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In April 1931 they were in Rockland, Maine. In May 1931 they were back in Portsmouth, Virginia. On 01-19 June 1931 he was chauffeur Ship's Services Car. and from 20-30 June he had Detachment duty Rifle Range Detachment, Quantico, Virginia for SATP. In August 1931 the U.S.S. Arizona was in San Pedro, California. From 18-27 December 1931 Sherman was given a furlough.
He was transferred to Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – February 1932 to 16 March 1933
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, Pearl Harbor, T. H./Shanghai, China.
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). The armored cruiser Rochester (CA-2) departed Balboa 25 February 1932 for service in the Pacific Fleet. Sherman was given a short furlough from 05-08 March 1932 in Hawaii. The U.S.S. Rochester arrived in Shanghai, China 27 April 1932, to join the fleet in the Yangtze River in June. She became the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. On 17 March 1933 he was transferred to the 4th Marines MCEF, Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 17 March 1933 to 27 November 1933
Company ''D'', 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Marine Corps Expeditionary Force (M. C. E. F.), Shanghai, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "D" on 17 March 1933 from Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Rochester, at Shanghai, China – the "China Marines." He was in the Regimental Hospital in Shanghai, from 14-21 June 1933 and again 30 August - 04 September 1933. On 23 November 1933 he was transferred to MDAL, Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. They sailed on the 24th from Woosung, China.
The Marines 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 protecting 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 Rolls – 27 November 1933 to 09 December 1934
Company "B", Marine Detachment, American Legation, Peiping, China
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "B"in Peiping on 27 November 1933 from Company "D", Shanghai via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. He was sick in the Post Dispensary from 09-31 August 1934. From 21-26 November 1934 he was one special temporary duty at Tientsin, China, in connection with practice firing of 5" Navy Guns thereat. On 09 December 1934 he was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT sailing from Chinwangtao, China, 10 December 1934.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 29 January 1935 to 02 February 1935
Guard Company #1, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Guard Company #1 on 29 January 1935 from Company "B", Peiping, China via the U.S.S. CHAUMONT. On 02 February 1935 he was transferred to MCB, NOB, San Diego, California. Before he joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company he was given a furlough from 06-10 February 1935.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 11 February 1935 to 18 February 1935
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company on 11 February 1935 from furlough. On 18 February 1935 he was transferred to Company "G" same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 18 February 1935 to 14 August 1937
Company "G", 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Brigade, FMF, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California
Private First Class/Corporal Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He joined Company "G" on 18 February 1935 from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, same post. He was given a furlough from 22-31 July 1935. On 25 August 1935 he was given an honorable discharge. E of E Character: Excellent, Awarded Good Conduct Medal. The next day, 26 August 1935, Sherman P. MacDonald reenlisted at post, in rank. He was given a furlough from 18 November 1935 thru 14 February 1936. He was sick in USN hospital, San Diego 30 April 1936 through 18 June 1936. On 20 April 1937 he was promoted to Corporal. On 14 August 1937, Corporal MacDonald was transferred to MD, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California, via the U.S.S. BRANT and sailed on board the U.S.S. BRANT same date.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 26 August 1937 to 28 February 1937
Marine Barracks, Reeves Field, Terminal Island, California
Corporal/Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). He had joined the Marine Barracks at Reeves Field from Company "G", in San Diego, California. Sherman had embarked aboard the U.S.S BRANT and sailed from San Diego, California 14 August 1937. He arrived and disembarked at San Pedro, California the same date. He was the company clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 March 1938 to 30 September 1938
Marine Detachment, Fleet Air Base, San Pedro, California
Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750).
On 07 March 1938 he was promoted to Sergeant (Auth: MGC Ltr No. 2165-15/7-582). He was still serving as the company clerk. From 06-20 May 1938 he was acting 1st Sergeant. From 21 May - 03 June 1938 he was on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. From 22 July thru September 1939 he was back as acting 1st Sergeant. At different times during that period he was also the "NCO in Charge of Detachment." On 01 February 1939 he was designated the Navy Mail Clerk (Auth: Ltr P.O. Dept. No. IPB M-6431 dated 13 January 1938). He "entered on duties as NMC 1Feb39." On 26 August 1939 he reenlisted in rank. Character: Excellent; Awarded: Good Conduct Medal. He then went on temporary duty at MCB, Rifle Range, San Diego, California for annual small arms practice. By September he was back as Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 October 1939 to 03 April 1941
Marine Detachment, Naval Air Station, San Pedro, Terminal Island, California
Sergeant/Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). Acting 1st. Sgt. and Mail Clerk. By January 1940 he was just serving as Navy Mail Clerk (Class II).
Sherman P. MacDonald married widow, Vivian Viola Pritchett Craig about 1938. She had two sons. Vivian had been married to Hawthorne, California Chief of Police Vernon Patton Craig. He had died on 03 November 1937 in Los Angeles County, California. She was the daughter of Loran Jordan Pritchett and Clara Augusta "Calla" Pritchett (that was her maiden name as well as married name).
Sherman MacDonald (32 California) is found in the 1940 United States Federal Census (12 April 1940) for Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 3B, household 66, 357 South Rosele Street) along with his wife, Vivian Craig MacDonald (40 Missouri, secretary, City Engineer) and stepson, Donald Craig (18 Illinois, Apprentice, Aircraft). Sherman had completed 2 years of high school, Vivian finished four years of high school. He was in the United States Marines and working as a Post Office Clerk for the Naval Air Fleet.
On 05 August 1940 he was promoted to Platoon Sergeant. On 03 April 1941 Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald was transferred to MB, NYd, Mare Island, California, on his way to Shanghai, China.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01 July 1941 to 03 July 1941
Company "E", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F", same post.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 03 July 1941 to 27 November 1941
Company "F", Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Shanghai, China
Platoon Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). On 03 July 1941 he was transferred to Company "F" from Company "E", same post. From 07-31 July he was on temporary duty at Riverside Power Station, Shanghai, China.
He served as the senior NCO of Fox Company.
On the 14th of November, 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.
Although war was expected, it broke out earlier than had been anticipated. Japan launched an attack on the Philippines on 08 December 1941 to coincide with its strike at Pearl Harbor. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December. 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 Bataan. 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.
Over the next couple of days the Fourth Marines were transferred to Corregidor. They were assigned to the beach defenses on the island. As the weeks passed, the 4th Marines and other units garrisoning Corregidor realized the hopelessness of the situation when it became clear that no relief force would be forthcoming. The 4th Marines' mission of defending the beaches gained new importance as the Japanese moved down the Bataan Peninsula. 1st Battalion took the east sector of the island, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point. The 2nd Battalion (MacDonald's) moved to the west sector. Work began immediately on construction of beach defenses. Source: A Brief History of the 4th Marines by James S. Santelli (Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 1970), page 24.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – January 1942 to to 30 April 1942 (the final surviving muster)
Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Corregidor, Philippine Islands
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750). 1st Sgt. of Company. 1-14 January 1942 he was Platoon Sergeant of 2nd Platoon; 15-31 January 1942 he was on temporary duty with Headquarters, USAFFE, on Bataan Peninsula. In March 1942, 1st. Sgt. MacDonald "took ill with dysentery" while on Bataan.
1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald was initially listed as missing in action (01 June 1942).
Southland Naval Casualties Listed
Seven Men Reported Dead and 137 Missing in Action From April 16 to May 10
Seven residents of the Los Angeles metropolitan area were listed as dead and 137 as missing in the latest Navy casualty list, released yesterday by officials.
All those named were killed or missing in action from April 16 to May 10 inclusive...The list of missing follows: ... HAWTHORNE – Sherman MacDonald, first sergeant, Marine Corps; wife, 357 Roselle Ave ... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Tuesday, 02 June 1942, page 5.
The appalling conditions in the camp took their toll, and at 10:00 am on 03 October 1942, 1st Sgt. Sherman P. MacDonald (S/N 222750), age 32, 4th Marines, succumbed to a lethal combination of dysentery and malaria in Barracks 9, Hospital Area. His home address: 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorn, California; Next of Kin: wife, Vivian MacDonald, same address. Sherman had no belongings. 1st Sgt. MacDonald was one of 8 prisoners to die that day, the 1855th prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years. He was buried in a common grave with six other men in the prison cemetery – Plot 5, Grave 504.
He was already dead by April 1943 when he was officially listed as "In Hands of the Enemy."
Sixty Listed as Prisoners
Sixty Southern California members of the Marine Corps taken as prisoners by the Japanese, mostly in the Philippine Islands, were named in a list made public yesterday by the Navy Department...Nearly 300 Californians were named in the list, which totaled 952 for the entire nation, bringing the total number of confirmed prisoners of war announced by the naval services to 3256.
The local prisoners and their next of kin are: ... First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald; wife, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne... Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Wednesday, 26 May 1943, pages 1 and 23.
U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls – 01-31 July 1943
Prisoners of War and Missing Persons Detachment, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald. 01-06 July 1943, In Hands of the Enemy, 07 July 1943, "ltr fr CMC reports MacDonald died on the *29 June 1943 of Malaria in a Japanese Prison Camp. Cause of death unknown. GO#20 does not apply. Char. Exc." *He died on 03 October 1942.
Navy Reports Names of 11 War Casualties
WASHINGTON, July 10. – (AP) – The navy announced today 11 casualties, including three dead, one wounded and seven missing.
In addition eight names are listed whose status has changed from prisoner to dead and one from missing to dead.
This brings to 27,066 the total of navy, marine corps and coast guard casualties reported to next of kin since December 7, 1941. The grand total includes 8,232 dead, 4,736 wounded, 10,513 missing, and 3,585 prisoners of war.
The casualties announced today include:
California – First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald, Marine. (Reported prisoner 25 May 1943). He leaves his widow, Mrs. Sherman P. MacDonald, 357 Roselle Ave., Hawthorne. Source: The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 17 and The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), Saturday, 10 July 1943, page 13.
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. All but two – MacDonald and S/Sgt. Carl F. Abbott of the 194th Tank Battalion – were identified. 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. First Sergeant Sherman Price MacDonald is most likely buried in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) as a "Known but to God." There are 953 men like Sgt. MacDonald 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"
First Sergeant Sherman P. MacDonald is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Marine Corps at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
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Shortly after his death, Sherman's widow, Vivian V. MacDonald (1898 Missouri), a resident of Los Angeles County, California, enlisted (S/N A-901473) in the Women's Army Corps on on 26 March 1943 in Los Angeles, California. She had completed 4 years of high school and had been working as a general office clerk.
Widow, Vivian Viola MacDonald (26 June 1898 St. Louis, Missouri, 19 September 1985 Susanville, Lassen County, California) never remarried.
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Entered the service from California.
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