Johnny died on or about 27 Jan 1945 [most likely 1945,
editor] while a prisoner aboard the Brazil Maru. I know this from POW records and the eyewitness account I was told by his freind the late Col Mel Rosen.
Lt Presnell (he was promoted several times while POW/MIA) was promoted to Maj in 1945. He is listed on the Cabanatuan Memorial and at the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Because he is already listed in Hawaii's cemetery, he won't be listed in any other US Military cemetery. Not to say it hasn't happened

I am still searching for Cpl Lee Presnell......

Thanks for the input.
http://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=466&mtch=4&cat=all&q=presnell&m...<here is copy and paste from my original post of 25 Dec 08>
Well it has been sometime since I visited this forum. I thought to drop a note and let you know what happened to Maj. John "Johnny" Presnell" according to the late Col. Mel Rosen. Mel was kind enough to talk at length with us about Johnny as he referred to him. He apparently knew him quite well and told us he was liked by all who knew him.
Mel told us that Johnny was instrumental in designing a systems of ditches to help the water and waste drain more effective from Camp O'Donnel. This helped to make life a bit better for those interred there.
He said although sick and weak as they all were, Johnny was always trying to find something of the lighter side of life to help other spirits. We guess maybe he had a sense of humor, even amongst all the deplorable conditions and treatment.
Mel also confirmed that Johny died while aboard the Brazil Maru, he was indeed in the forward hold and deathly sick. Other prisoners stole the remnants of what clothing he had on and Johnny froze to death. His body was throw overboard the next day. The time line for his death was two days before the ship docked in Japan.
My family has kept him and his comrades in arms who fought such a valiant fight in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless them all and the families they left behind.