The Braxton Central, 5 October 1944
Remember...
Orval Robert Mollohan
1921-1942
"We know that enduring peace cannot be bought at the cost of other people's freedom."
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Braxton Central, 5 October 1944 |
Remember...Orval Robert Mollohan
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Orval Robert Mollohan was born December 30, 1921, to Thurmond Roy Mollohan (referred to as Roy Thurmond in some documents and known locally as Roy) and Hallie Alma Hill Mollohan. Although some documents, such as his U.S. Army enlistment record, offer an alternative spelling (Orvel or Orvil), Orval is the spelling used in family records. Orval was the second of three sons, all of whom were serving simultaneously in World War II. The oldest was Carlton Thurman (or Thurmon)—listed in the 1930 Federal Census as T. Carl and known throughout his life as Carl. The youngest son was George Dana Mollohan. After the sons, Thurmond Roy and Alma had four daughters: Mary Jean (b. 1926; married name Keller), Betty Helen (b. 1931; married name Starr), Margaret Hope (b. 1933; married name Ballengee), and Evelyn Joan (b. 1936; married name Schiavone). (Family information obtained from 1930 and 1940 census documents and the McGuire/Mollohan/McCarthy/LeClair Family Tree on Ancestry.com.)
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, indicate that Private First Class Orvel [sic] R. Mollohan was educated through grammar school and was employed in the class of "farm hands, general farms." However, the 1940 Federal Census notes that he was working as a mechanic's helper, having left school after the seventh grade. According to an account by one of Orval's nieces in her application to the West Virginia Legislature for a bridge to be named in honor of the Mollohan brothers, toward the end of the Great Depression, Orval and George headed to California in search of jobs. This is consistent with the fact that Orval's enlistment place on February 11, 1941, was Fort McDowell, Angel Island, California.
Assigned to the 31st Infantry Regiment, Pfc. Mollohan saw action in the Pacific Theater of War. His niece writes that "he was involved in the Battle of Bataan, and, given his MIA [May 7, 1942] and death dates [June 28, 1942], survived the Bataan Death March but died in captivity, along with hundreds of US Infantrymen, at Camp O'Donnell while a prisoner of war." U.S., World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954, indicate he was hospitalized in June of 1942 with dysentery. U.S. World War II American and Allied Prisoners of War, 1941-1946, notes his death date as June 29, 1942, at PW Camp #4 in the Philippines. The Bataan Death March is written large as one of the most infamous events in history. According to the National WWII Museum website,
Three months after the start of the Battle of Bataan, the Bataan Death March began, forcing 60,000-80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war to march through the Philippines. The route was about 65 miles long and stretched from the peninsula to the railhead inland….The Bataan Death March is remembered as an absolute tragedy. The prisoners of war were forced to march through tropical conditions, enduring heat, humidity, and rain without adequate medical care. They suffered from starvation, having to sleep in the harsh conditions of the Philippines. The prisoners unable to make it through the march were beaten, killed, and sometimes beheaded. The Bataan Death March has a devastating legacy, with Filipinos suffering disproportionately compared to US troops.
Although troops surrendered in April 1942, the USAFFE was able to delay the Japanese advance into Manila for 99 days. Japan's goal was to overtake Bataan in 50 days, so the effort of the Philippine scouts and US Army was not lost. ("Battle of Bataan: Bataan Death March," accessed 11 March 2025, https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/battle-bataan-death-march.)
| Pfc. Orval Robert Mollohan is buried in the Manila American Cemetery at Plot N, Row 1, Grave 57. |  |
Article prepared by Patricia Richards McClure
October 2025
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.