Austin Shofner
| Austin Conner Shofner | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Shifty |
| Born |
March 3, 1916 Bedford County, Tennessee |
| Died | November 13, 1999 (aged 83) Shelbyville, Tennessee |
| Place of burial | Shofner Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee (35°26′49″N 86°19′48″W / 35.4470°N 86.3299°W) |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1937–1959 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held |
3rd Battalion, 5th Marines 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Provost Marshal, 1st Marine Division 6th Marine Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit Order of the Cloud and Banner |
Brigadier General Austin Conner Shofner was a United States Marine Corps officer who was captured during the Battle of Corregidor and then part of the only successful escape from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He joined the Philippine resistance, and later returned to command units of the Marine Corps in the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa.
Shofner attended the University of Tennessee where he was on the football and wrestling team. He graduated in 1937 with degrees in commerce and science, and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps.
Shofner was assigned to the 4th Marines in Shanghai. The Regiment was later transferred to the Philippine Islands. Shortly after the start of the war, Lt. Shofner was promoted to captain on 5 January 1942 and took command of a company in 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines that he led in the Battle of Corregidor.
Captured at the surrender of the Philippines, Shofner escaped with a small group of nine other Americans, including William Dyess, Jack Hawkins, and Samuel Grashio, plus two Filipinos on 4 April 1943. They made contact with anti-Japanese Filipinos who placed the party in touch with American Army and Filipino Scout guerrillas. Shofner was commissioned a major and later lieutenant colonel in and assigned to the 110th Division of guerrillas as Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Chief of Operations for the Division Shofner was awarded the Silver Star for his service on Corregidor and another Silver Star for his service with the guerrillas.
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