Loren P. Stewart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Loren Prescott Stewart |
| Born | June 27, 1892 Center Montville, Waldo County, Maine, USA |
| Disappeared | Abucay, Bataan, Philippines |
| Died | January 13, 1942 Bataan Province, Central Luzon, Philippines |
| Cause of death | Killed in Action |
| Buried | Tablet of Missing Manila American Cemetery and Memorial |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service | Army |
| Years of service | 1917 - 1942 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | 0-005881 |
| Unit | 51st Infantry Regiment 51st Division (Philippines) |
| Commands | 51st Infantry Regiment (PA) |
| Awards | Bronze Star Silver Star |
Loren Prescott Stewart (1892 - 1942) is US Army Colonel who served both wars from 1917 to 1942 when he was killed action in the Philippines during World War II[1]. His body was never recovered due to heavy artillery and air bombardment during early days of Battle of Bataan. He commanded 51st Infantry Regiment from Bicol until its retreat to Bataan[1].
Background
editLoren was born on June 27, 1892 and only child of Edgar Loren Stewart and Olive A. Rowell. His divorced and he was in custody of his mother. He graduated from Freedom Academy, Freedom, Maine on June 6, 1910. He went to University of Maine and took up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He graduated in 1915 and also completed a Military Science Course and served in University of Maine ROTC. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity[1].
He was employed as Civil Engineer in 1915 with Pennsylvania Railroad until 1917[1].
Military Service
editHe signed up for draft during World War I in May 15, 1917. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant but was promoted to First Lieutenant the same day. He was assigned to 17th Infantry as officer of F Company. He was promoted to Captain on June 8, 1918 and assigned to Camp Utilities, Quartermaster Corps in Camp Meade, Maryland. He was discharged on June 20, 1920 but reenlisted on July 1, 1920. 17th Infantry was transferred to Fort MacIntosh, Texas[1].
He graduated from Infantry School Officer's Course on 1928 in Fort Benning, Georgia. He went back to main to be an assistant professor for Military Science in University of Maine. In 1935 he joined 11th Infantry Regiment and was assigned to Headquarters and Band. Later he was given command of 2nd Battalion. Later he was assigned and regimental S3 and later as Executive Officer of 11th Infantry Regiment and now promoted to Major on March 1937[1].
Foreign Service
editIn Summer of 1937, he was assigned to the Philippine Islands. He was assigned to Regimental Headquarters of 45th Infantry (Philippine Scout). He was appointed as Regimental Supply Officer S4 and later Regimental Adjutant and commander of the Band. In July 1939 he returned to United States and assigned to 18th Infantry in Fort Hamilton, New York. He was transferred to Headquarters, 2nd Corps Area at Governors Island, New York as Instructor, Infantry, Maine National Guard at Augusta, Maine. In July 1940 we was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He is assigned to 4th CA Service Command as Executive Officer[1].
World War II
editFrom Camp Blanding, Florida he volunteered for duty in the Philippine Islands. He sailed from San Francisco on November 1, 1941. He was sent to Legaspi, Albay where he was assigned as commanding officer of 51st Infantry Regiment, 51st Division, Philippine Army[2]. His regiment was activated in Lucena, Tayabas Province. They were still in process of training when war with Japan began in December 1941. He was promoted to Colonel on December 18, 1941. USAFFE Headquarters ordered all forces to withdrew to Bataan. 51st Infantry who was not yet engage was place in Plaridel, Bulacan to cover the retreat[3]. His regiment was the last one to reached Bataan on January 4, 1942. 51st was assigned to defend the Abucay Hacienda on the left of Abucay Line. On January 9, Japanese assaulted the Main Line of Resistance in Mauban but was repulsed by 57th Infantry Regiment (PS) and shifted its assault westward to Abucay Hacienda where 51st Infantry and they tored a gap with them but Colonel Stewart sent his reserve battalion to counterattack and regained the lost grounds[2]. On the night of January 12 Colonel Stewart and Captain Wilbur Kruse were killed while on reconnaissance mission[4]. His death caught 51st Infantry confusion and withdrew during the night. Although 21st Infantry and 57th Infantry restored the original line the following day. Due to heavy assault and artillery and air bombardment Colonel Stewart's body was not recovered[2].
His body was exhumed by Sgt. Abie Abraham in 1945 and reburied in Manila American Cemetery[5]. The parade ground in Camp Blanding was named Stewart Field in his honor.
Personal Life
editLoren married Frances V. Mulholland on June 19, 1919 in Philadelphia. She is the daughter of Daniel Mulholland and Rose Mulholland. Together they have 2 children son Loren Francis Stewart (1920) and daughter Josephine A. Stewart (1922) born in Texas[1].
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "COL Loren Prescott Stewart (1892-1942) - Find a..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ a b c "Col LOREN P STEWART - Service Member Profile". Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Morton, Louis (November 1, 1941 – May 12, 1942). The Fall of the Philippines (1st ed.). Washington, D.C: US Government Printing Press (published June 26, 1953). pp. 201–202.
- ^ "Article clipped from Kennebec Journal". Kennebec Journal. 1942-02-23. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ "Loren P. Stewart | American Battle Monuments Commission". www.abmc.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
See Also
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