Washington Parish Government says yesterday a hero returned home as the remains of Private First Class Joseph Corbett Murphy, United States Army, 31st Infantry Regiment, were returned to his hometown of Bogalusa, Louisiana.
PFC Murphy was only 20 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country at the Cabanatuan Prison Camp, Philippines, an American Prisoner of War and Missing in Action. He fought in the Battle of Bataan in World War II and died in the Cananatuan Prison Camp.
Upon Private Murphy’s death, he was buried as an unknown soldier within a mass grave at the prison camp. His remains were later moved to a military mausoleum near Manila, where they rested until he was accounted for on April 1, 2024 through the efforts of the Department of Defense.
Amongst family, friends and a grateful community, PFC Murphy’s remains were escorted from the New Orleans International Airport to Poole Ritchie Funeral Home.
PFC Murphy will be honored at a service hosted by the American Legion on Saturday, August 3 beginning at 11 am, with a 1 pm service. PFC Murphy will be buried with military honors in the Pounds Cemetery. His bravery and dedication to protect our freedoms will always be remembered.
