the other escapees volunteered to fight with the guerrillas, although it meant postponing their chance of evacuation to Australia. The colonel then served as the 110th Division's deputy chief of staff and operations officer, organizing the division staff, helping to train the new troops and leading an attack on a Japanese garrison. Later World War II service Evacuated to Australia in November 1943 by the submarine USS Narwhal, Shofner briefed the American Pacific Command on Japanese atrocities. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Douglas MacArthur. While in the captivity, Shofner was promoted to the rank of major following his return to the United States. He reported his experiences to the Army and Navy Intelligence in Washington, D.C., and using his experiences, it helped in the planning of the raid at Cabanatuan. Shofner was then ordered to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico for instruction at the Command and Staff School there. He then served on the staff of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina under Major General Henry L. Larsen and received promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel in June 1944. Shofner was ordered back to the Pacific area during the next month and attached to the 1st Marine Division under Major General William H. Rupertus. The division was stationed at Pavuvu in the Russell Islands for rest and refitting after fighting at Cape Gloucester. He assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and led it ashore on Peleliu on September 15, 1944. He was wounded in the left forearm by Japanese mortar fire during the landing and spent next two weeks in the rear for treatment. Shofner assumed command of Division Headquarters Battalion on October 3 and led it through the rest of the Peleliu campaign. For his wounds sustained on September 15, Shofner was decorated with the Purple Heart. Shofner was appointed provost marshal of the 1st Marine Division in October and remained in this capacity until he was ordered as an observer to the 37th Infantry Division under Major General Robert S. Beightler for Battle of Luzon. He also held additional duty as advisor on guerrilla affairs to the command of Douglas MacArthur and finally returned to 1st Marine Division just in time for the Battle of Okinawa in May 1945. He assumed command of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines on May 13 and after few weeks of patrolling as reserve force of 1st Marine Division, 1st