I was mesmerized hy this soldier's story and thought it was worthy of a share. I've decided to keep his name anonymous. He has well respected family members who still live in, thrive in and participate in community services in our patriotic small town.

This Veteran will be buried in the Military Memorial Grounds of our local cemetery this upcoming Saturday with full military honors being provided by members of the Military Honors Unit from Ft. Stuart.

~~~During World War II this Veteran served in the Army Air Forces as a Private assigned to the 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group. His Unit arrived in the Philippines in October, 1941, shortly before the Japanese attack on Clark Field and the subsequent invasion of Luzon.

Following the fall of the Philippines, this soldier was captured and taken as a prisoner of war on April 9, 1942 after the surrender of U.S. Forces on the Bataan Peninsula. He was initially held at the Cabanatuan Prisioner of War Camp, where he remained until the summer of 1942. In 1943 he was assigned to a labor detail to assist in rebuilding, under extremely harsh conditions, Nichols Airfield.

In the summer of 1944, as Japanese forces began evacuating prisoners of war from the Philippines, the young soldier was among those transported aboard Japanese vessels as part of the evacuation efforts. He ultimately died while still a prisoner of war on January 9, 1945 in Takao Formosa (present day Taiwan.)

For decades he was listed as missing in action. In a significant development, his remains were officially accounted for and identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on June 18, 2025, bringing long awaited closure to his family after 80 years. His service and sacrifice have since been recognized through official records honoring his dedication and loss.

This Saturday, this Army Veteran will be remembered for his service to his country and the endurance he demonstrated under the most difficult POW circumstances. His story stands as a Testament to the sacrifices made by thousands and thousands of the "Greatest Generation" of World War II.