World War II Honoree

John L. Rayburn

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Madison County, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 5TH AIR FORCE, HEADQUARTERS & HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON, 24TH PURSUIT GROUP STATIONED AT CLARK FIELD. ASSIGNED TO THE PROVISIONAL INFANTRY COMPANY, WHILE ENGAGED IN COMBAT DURING THE BATTLE OF BATAAN AND RETREATING TO THE BATAAN PENINSULA, THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES CAPTURED HIM APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH, BECOMING A PRISONER OF WAR FOR 3 MONTHS. HE DIED JULY 24, 1942 DURING HIS INTERNMENT IN THE POW CAMP #1 CABANATUAN 1-2-3 NUEVA, LUZON. LATER DECLARED MISSING IN ACTION AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINES. DECORATIONS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL. HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.