Joseph P. Vachon

Joseph Peter Vachon (23 January 1887 – 31 December 1961) was a retired United States Army brigadier general. During World War II, he commanded the 101st Division during the Philippines campaign and then spent more than three years as a prisoner of war after being ordered to surrender in May 1942.

Early life and education Vachon was raised in Westbrook, Maine, where he graduated from Westbrook High School in 1904. He later graduated from the Army Infantry School advanced course in 1928 and the Command and General Staff School in 1929.

Military career Vachon enlisted in the Coast Artillery Corps in November 1904. He served until November 1907, advancing from private to sergeant. Vachon reenlisted in the Coast Artillery Corps in June 1908, again advancing from private to sergeant. In February 1912, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts. Vachon was imprisoned on Formosa and in Manchuria after capture.

Later life Vachon died in San Francisco, California and was interred at San Francisco National Cemetery.