World War II Honoree

Jesse Bier

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lawrence, Massachusetts

Honored By

Edward H. Bier

Relationship

Cousin

HE WAS CAPTURED AT FORT DRUM. SURVIVED THE DEATH MARCH BY JAPAN. PRISONER OF WAR FOR TWO YEARS. WHEN THE U.S. STARTED TO BOMB JAPAN, THE ENEMY TRANSFERRED THE PRISONERS TO THE MAINLAND; THERE WERE 800 PUT ON THE SHIP TO JAPAN. A U.S. SUBMARINE SUNK HIS SHIP. HE JUMPED OVERBOARD, THE JAPANESE FIRED AND HIT HIM IN THE THIGH. HE WAS ONE OF 80 POW THAT SURVIVED. GUERILLA FIGHTERS LOCATED THEM AND HE WAS ABLE TO TEND THE WOUNDS OF HIS COMRADES. THE GUERILLA FIGHTERS WERE IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE U.S. ARMY IN AUSTRALIA AND THE ESCAPEES WERE SAVED AND THEN SENT FOR MEDICAL CARE. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT VISITED WITH THEM ALL IN THE HOSPITAL.