This Fallen Navy Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Fallen profile please click
HERE
Casualty Info
Home Town Brooklyn, NY
Last Address 570 E 2nd St Brooklyn, NY
Casualty Date Jul 31, 1943
Cause MIA-Died in Captivity
Reason Intentional Homicide
Location China
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Long Island National Cemetery (VA) - Farmingdale, New York
Wall/Plot Coordinates H 8196
Military Service Number 2 339 900
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
S1c Meringolo was captured at the Fall of the Philippines on May 6, 1942. Records report that he was held in POW Camps in the Philippines and Manchuria, China. According to records, Meringolo and two U.S. Marines managed to escape from the POW Camp Hoten in Mukden, China, on June 21, 1943, and fled toward the Russian border. They reportedly were helped by a Chinese fellow-worker who supplied them with a crude map. The Chinese worker was subsequently sentenced to 5-years in prison for his part in the escape. The trio was successful in traveling a reported 180 kilometers and evading recapture for eleven days until they were desperate for food and approached a Manchurian policeman seeking help claiming they were German airmen. According to Japanese reports, the trio subsequently killed the policeman while leading him to an alleged crash site and following their recapture they were returned to Camp Hoten on July 6th. Here they were tried before a military court and condemned to death. The trio was executed by a firing squad at POW Camp Hoten on July 31, 1943. Military officials reported that they were skeptical of the Japanese claims.
Following the war S1c Meringolo's body was disinterred and returned to the United States. His remains reached California on 11 February 1948.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 2339900
Prisoner of War Medal
Awarded for action during World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Seaman First Class
Division: Prisoner of War (Manchuria)
General Orders: NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 - 1947
Citation: Seaman First Class Ferdinand F. Meringolo (NSN: 2339900), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.
Philippine Islands Campaign (1941-42)/Battle of the Philippines
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
May / 1942
Description American Forces relentless effort to hold the Philippine Islands against an overwhelming Japanese Force. The Japanese eventually forced an American Surrender.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
May / 1942
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories On 7 December 1941, Canopus, aging but able, lay at Cavite Navy Yard, as tender to Submarine Squadron 20. In the days that followed, her men worked day and night to repair ships damaged in the daily air raids as well as to keep her brood of submarines at sea. With the Army falling back on Manila, Canopus sailed to Mariveles Bay at the tip of Bataan on Christmas Day. On 29 December 1941 she received her first direct bomb hit. A 500 pound armor piercing bomb penetrated all decks and exploded on the propeller shaft housing. Six sailors were killed mostly from scalding and fires started in the engine rooms and magazines. The six men were buried at sea at 1735 hours in Mariveles Bay at the tip of Bataan.