Wainwright, Jonathan
Wainwright, Jonathan (1883–1953), U.S. general in World War II.Graduating from West Point in 1906, Wainwright served in World War I as a captain. In 1940, as major general, he assumed command of the Philippines Division. Commanding North Luzon forces during the opening days of the Japanese invasion in December 1941, he redeployed American forces to defensive positions on the Bataan Peninsula.
On 11 March 1942, after Gen. Douglas MacArthur left for Australia, Wainwright assumed command of U.S. forces on Bataan and the island fortress of Corregidor in Manila Bay. Promoted to lieutenant general and put in command of all U.S. forces in the Philippines, Wainwright proved unable to prevent the collapse of resistance on Bataan on 8 April. In order to ensure continued resistance of U.S. forces in other areas of the Philippines, he released them from his control shortly before he surrendered the U.S. forces on...
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