World War II Honoree

Millard Orsini

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Altamont, New York

COMBAT ENGINEER WAS CAPTURED EARLY IN THE WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES. IN APRIL 1942, HE AND SOME 70,000 FELLOW PRISONERS WERE HERDED IN THE 55 MILE BATAAN DEATH MARCH, DURING WHICH UP TO 10,000 MARCHERS DIED. WHILE HELD IN JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS, SECRETLY PAINTED STARS AND STRIPES ON PILFERED PAPER HIDDEN FROM HIS CAPTORS. HE PAINTED THE FLAG ON A NEWSPAPER-SIZED PIECE OF PULPY PAPER, MAYBE A WINDOW SHADE OR WRAPPING PAPER, USING STOLEN OR CREATIVELY MIXED OIL PAINTS. HIS CRAFTSMANSHIP WAS METICULOUS. HE HELD THE FLAG UP HIGH TO GREET AMERICAN PLANES FLYING OVERHEAD WHEN HIS CAMP WAS LIBERATED.