World War II Honoree

Frank P. Prater

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Davis, Oklahoma

Honored By

Charles J. Newman

Relationship

Friend

GUNNERY SERGEANT. ENTERED THE U.S. MARINE CORPS AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA IN JULY 1939. IN MAY 1940, HE ARRIVED IN TIENTSIN, CHINA AS AN EMBASSY GUARD WITH THE NORTH CHINA MARINES. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER BY JAPANESE FORCES ON DECEMBER 8, 1941. SENT AS PRISON LABOR TO A CAMP AT WOOSUNG, CHINA UNTIL MAY 1945 THEN MOVED BY TRAIN AND SHIP VIA KOREA TO COAL MINES ON THE NORTHERN ISLAND OF HOKKAIDO, JAPAN. AMERICANS OFFICIALLY LIBERATED HIM AND ALL OTHER PRISONERS FOR HOKADATE CAMP 3 ON SEPTEMBER 11,1945.