World War II Honoree

Merrell Wendell Best

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Adel, Georgia

Honored By

Ann B. Moon

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED 1940-1945 WITH THE 17TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, 27TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, FAR EAST AIR FORCE. ACTIVE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. STATIONED OUT OF SAVANNA, GEORGIA HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO FORT MCKINLEY IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. CAPTURED AND BECAME A POW IN THE PHILIPPINES. WALKED THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH FROM MARIVELES TO O'DONNELL, LATER CABANATUAN AND FINALLY BILIBID. RECEIVED THE POW MEDAL, BRONZE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.