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World War II Honoree

Killed in World War II

Charles W. Pettis

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Cocoa, Florida

Honored By

Mr. Carl J. Wittfeld

Relationship

Hometown Friend

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

MEMBER OF 27TH BOMB GROUP, CAPTURED ON BATAAN, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BY JAPANESE ARMY ON APRIL 9, 1942. SURVIVED THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND 36 MONTHS OF DISEASE, STARVATION AND BRUTALITY, ONLY TO DIE ON JAPANESE HELL SHIP, ORYOKU MARU, WHICH WAS ATTACKED AND SUNK BY U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT IN DECEMBER 1944. HE DIED AFTER HAVING SURVIVED ALL THE OTHER INHUMANITIES FOR 3 YEARS. JOINED THE AIR CORPS, 27TH BOMB GROUP IN 1941.