World War II Honoree

Harold A. Myers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Genesee, Michigan

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: STAFF SERGEANT. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 24TH PURSUIT GROUP, 3RD PURSUIT SQUADRON STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE FIGHTING AS AN INFANTRYMAN 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 5 MONTHS. HE WAS INCARCERATED AND DIED SEPTEMBER 11, 1942 AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP LOS BANOS, LAGUNA, LUZON AND LATER DECLARED MISSING IN ACTION. HE IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 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.