MAJ Howard Marshall Batson, Jr. (WWII)


Remembering Major Howard Marshall Batson, Jr. (Mannington)

April 13, 1910 - January 28, 1945

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"One on whom you could count—One who never turned back, but marched breast forward” - Reverend George McPherson Hunter, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mannington

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MAJ Howard Marshall Batson, Jr. was born April 13, 1910 in Vaughan, WV (Nicholas County), the son of Dr. Howard Marshall (often noted as H.M.) and Annie (Butler) Batson. H.M. was a doctor in Nicholas County (1910 Census).

When Howard was young, his father served in World War I as a medical officer for the 29th Field Artillery, Fourth Division. He survived the war, and by 1920 their family was living in the Buffalo Creek area of Mannington, H.M.'s hometown.

While living in Mannington, Howard graduated from Mannington High School. He then attended Fairmont State Normal School (1927 Mound Yearbook) and West Virginia University, from which he graduated in 1931 with a bachelor's degree. While at WVU, Howard was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sphinx Honorary, Torch and Serpent Honorary, and was the vice-president of the senior class (1931 Monticola Yearbook). 

Time at West Point

While a senior at WVU, Howard received his appointment to West Point. He graduated from West Point in 1934 as 2LT Howard Batson. During his time at West Point, Howard was a member of the wrestling time, was in the Cadet Chapel Choir, and was on the Equipment Committee. He was also listed as a Rifle Sharpshooter and Pistol Marksman (1934 Howitzer).

The 1934 West Point Howitzer Yearbook says of Howard:

"After attending, and possibly studying at, several different colleges, Batson finally came to the Academy with enough information absorbed to sail through Academics with no apparent difficulty. Chevrons, too, seemed to come without the customary "file-boning" and, fortunately, Batson is one of those who has never abused his rank. In fact, his attitude is practically that of the proverbial "buck." 

For things in which he is interested, Batson works hard and enthusiastically. As a plebe he knew nothing of wrestling, yet hard work and natural ability have gained him, besides a cauliflower ear, the reputation of being one of the best "grapplers" in his weight that the Academy has had in years. 

Consideration and a sense of humor (don't let his puns fool you) have made him a cheerful companion and a real friend."

Military Service:

In 1940, 1LT Batson and his mother, Annie, were living at Fort Sheridan (1940 Census). The Census record also notes that in 1935, they were living in Monterey, California, where he'd been stationed since he graduated from West Point in 1934. In 1935, H.M. died of mesenteric thrombosis. Howard was next assigned to the 29th Field Artillery, Fourth Division at Fort Benning in 1940- the same division his father served under in WWI.

On October 4, 1941, Howard sailed from San Francisco to the Philippines. In the Philippines, he was in command of Battery B of the 88th Field Artillery at Fort Stotsenburg (West Point).

Unfortunately, Howard was captured in the fall of Bataan on May 7, 1942, and imprisoned (WWII Prisoners of War Data File). After surviving the terrible conditions of POW camps in the Philippines, Howard was amidst the prisoners being transferred to Japan from Old Bilibud Prison in Manila. He was on board the O-Ryoku Maru when it was sunk on December 15, 1944. He survived the sinking of the O-Ryoku Maru and was transferred to the Eno-Ura-Maru and then the Brazil-Maru. 

Major Howard Marshall Batson, Jr died of enteritis on January 28, 1945, though many early reports gave his date of death as January 30, 1945. A file compiled in late 1948 requested that the initial death date be revised based on testimony from several witnesses (IDPF, pages 35-36).

Lt Colonel John Curtiss, Jr, wrote in 1948: 

"Major Howard M. Batson, 019405, died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration on either the 27th or 28th of January, 1945. His death occurred aboard the "Brazil Maru" which left Formosa on 13 January 1945. This information is absolutely definite as I was with Major Batson at the time of his death" (IDPF, page 36)

Legacy and Survivors:

Alongside his fellow fallen POWs, Major Howard Marshall Batson was cremated and interred in a communal grave at the Daiyuji Temple Cemetery in Moji City, Japan, before being recovered and re-interred in a communal urn in the British Commonwealth Yokohama War Cemetery (Yokohama, Japan). Though Howard's mother petitioned to have his remains repatriated, her request was denied.

Howard was survived by his mother, Anna, who passed away in 1949, and two sisters- Anna Batson Hall (1905-1982) and Pearl Mae Batson Lea (1908-1996). A memorial was held for Howard on October 14, 1945, with Reverend Dr. George M. Hunter presenting a eulogy entitled "A Man You Could Count On" ("Memorial Services Held for Batson," The Fairmont Times).

In addition to the memorial plaque in Japan, Howard shares a gravestone with his parents at the Mannington Memorial Park in Mannington, West Virginia. He is also honored at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV, and the West Point Philippines Defense Memorial.

Sources and More Information:

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