Obituary

PFC Joseph Corbett Murphy

September 22, 1922 - October 28, 1942

PFC Joseph Corbett Murphy (United States Army, 31st Infantry Regiment), age 20 years, 6 days, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, died on Wednesday, October 28, 1942 in the Cabanatuan Prison Camp, Philippines, an American Prisoner of War and Missing In Action.

Private Murphy was born Sunday, September 10, 1922 in Bogalusa to John and Emily Murphy. He attended Bogalusa schools and was inducted into the Army in February 1940.  He valiantly fought under General Douglas MacArthur in the Battle of Bataan in World War II. He and several comrades endured and suffered the Bataan Death March and Cabanatuan Prison Camp where he succumbed to illness and malnutrition at the hands of his captors. General MacArthur wrote to PFC Murphy’s family: “In your son’s death, I have lost a gallant comrade and mourn with you.”.

Upon Private Murphy’s death, he was buried as an unknown soldier within a mass grave in the Cabanatuan Prison Camp. Following the war, his remains was moved to a military mausoleum near Manila, Philippines where they rested until he was accounted for on April 1, 2024 through efforts of the Department of Defense.

In addition to his parents, John and Emily Murphy; he is preceded in death by one brother, Thomas  Murphy (the late Lilly), four sisters, Mary (the late Paul) Mitchell, Floretta (the late Melvin) Fogg, Henrietta (the late George) Guillott, Anita (the late Jack) Webb; nieces, Edna (the late Ernest) Myler, Shirley Mizell,  Linda (the late Bill) Jones, and one nephew, Jack (the late Olamae) Mitchell.

Survivors include one great niece, Anita (Darryl) Jones; one great nephew, James (Susann) Myler; four great-great nieces, Emily (Bernard) Smith, Traci Mizell Hawk, Holly (A.J.) Ard, Emily Hawk; one great-great nephew, Nealy (Misti) Jones; one nephew-in-law, Ted Mizell; and a host of extended family and community.

Family, friends, and the community-at-large are invited to attend his funeral ceremony at the American Legion, Magic City, Post 24 (63349 Highway 10, Bogalusa, LA, 70427) on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Rev. Caleb Martin and Brother Jimmy Byrd will officiate the service. Burial with military honors will occur in the Pounds Cemetery (364 Old River Road, Bogalusa, LA, 70427) following the funeral ceremony. The family will receive friends and have visitation from 11:00 am until services, Saturday at the legion hall.

Poole Ritchie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.