John Lantagne would be the first of many local GI's to die in a Japanese POW Camp.

John C. Lantagne was born on October 10, 1918, in Santa Cruz, California, to Mr. E. and Rose Lantagne. The family also included sons Joseph and Dore and daughter Mary. John later moved to San Jose where he attended San Jose High School. In 1937 he returned to Santa Cruz and enrolled in Santa Cruz High School, but left after his junior year. John remained in the county after leaving school and worked as a farm hand.

On February 24, 1941, Lantagne enlisted in the US Army and was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington, for basic training. Upon completing the basic course he was assigned to the 194th Tank Battalion. In September 1941 the tank battalion was sent to the Philippine Islands and assigned to Fort Stotsenberg near Clark Field and Manila.

When the Japanese invaded the islands in late December 1941, John's unit defended Manila before retreating to the Bataan Peninsula, where they were ordered to hold the Japanese army as long as possible. When their food and supplies gave out on April 9, they surrendered.

Private John C. Lantagne was included in the infamous Bataan Death March and later housed at the Camp O'Donnell prison. Lantagne was reported to have died May 26, 1942, while imprisoned and was buried at the compound.

At the conclusion of the war his remains were disinterred and reburied in the Manila American Cemetery.

(ABMC; NARA2; SCHSC, Pg. 16; SCSn June 13, 1947)