World War II Honoree

H. Karl Fitzgibbons

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Salinas, California

Honored By

Dale A. Fitzgibbons

Relationship

Son

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS; COMPANY C, 194TH TANK BATTALION; 1941 TO 1942. TANK RADIOMAN DURING HEROIC DEFENSE OF BATAAN. SURVIVED BATAAN DEATH MARCH, APRIL, 1942. INTERNED AT CAMP O'DONNELL AND CABANATUAN, PHILIPPINES, 1942 TO 1944. SHIPPED TO JAPAN, 1944; INTERNED AT FUKUOKA CAMP NUMBER 3, KOKURA. WAS PRESSED INTO FORCED LABOR AT YAWATA STEEL WORKS. SURVIVED INTENSIVE STRATEGIC BOMBING BY U.S. B-29 FLEET, 1944 AND 1945. INDUSTRIAL AREA WAS INTENDED PRIMARY TARGET FOR SECOND ATOMIC BOMB, AUGUST 9, 1945 BUT WAS SPARED BY HEAVY CLOUD COVER THAT DAY, RESULTING IN MISSION REDIRECTION TO ALTERNATE TARGET, NAGASAKI. HONORABLY DISCHARGED, 1946, WITH RANK OF SERGEANT. AWARDED BRONZE STAR, NUMEROUS OTHER MEDALS.