World War II Honoree

Arthur 'Art' C. Franzwa

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Portland, Oregon

Honored By

Jo Ann Sandell

Relationship

Daughter

ASSIGNED TO THE 4TH AIR FORCE, 19TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON IN THE PHILIPPINES, WHERE HE SERVED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK. A SURVIVOR OF THE INFAMOUS BATAAN DEATH MARCH. HELD CAPTIVE BY THE JAPANESE AS A PRISONER OF WAR FOR 41 MONTHS. FORCED TO MARCH 65 MILES, LASTING 6 DAYS AND NIGHTS, ENDING IN THE TOWN OF SAN FERNANDO. HE WAS INTERNED AT O’DONNELL AND CABANATUAN PRISON CAMPS, EVENTUALLY SHIPPED TO JAPAN ON A ‘HELL SHIP’. UNTIL HIS LIBERATION, HE WORKED AS A FORCED LABORER IN A SMELTER PLANT. HIS AWARDS INCLUDE THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLED HEART MEDAL, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PHILIPPINE DEFENSE RIBBON, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT AWARD MEDAL.