Marvin Edward Sholar

Conflicts & Campaigns

• Battle of Java Sea; Invasion Normandy; Invasion Southern France

Significant Duty Stations

• Dutch light cruiser HNLMS De Ruyter

Decorations & Citations

• China Service; American Defense Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five battle stars
• By the order of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the Order of the Bronze Lion, for meritorious service as senior liaison signalman on the Dutch ship, HNLMS De Ruyter for the period December 26, 1941 through the HNLMS De Ruyter's final action in the Battle of Java Sea the night of February 27, 1942.

Notes

Born; Grady County, Georgia. In order for the US Forces to communicate with the Dutch Navy, Radioman 2nd class Marvin Sholar was assigned to the Dutch light cruiser HNLMS De Ruyter which was sunk by a Japanese long lance torpedo on February 28, 1942 with the lose of 368 men. Marvin was among the 60 crew members were in the only life boat that was able to launch. An American submarine USS U37 surfaced near the life boat and took the Signalman SM1c Sholar and SM3c Penhallow aboard, but could not take more. The captain of the sub ordered that 5 days rations and water be transferred to the life boat. The life boat later was spotted by destroyers of a Japanese convoy, they came along side and directed the life boat crew to stay clear of the convoy. Later the life boat crew were taken as POWS by another Japanese destroyer. More than half of the crew that were taken as POW died from exhaustion disease or brutal treatment by guards. In all, Marvin had three different ships shot out from under him during World War II. Marvin was commissioned and was assigned as commanding officer of the sea going tug.