World War II Honoree

Charles V. Bealler

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: TECHNICAL SERGEANT. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER DEPOT STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 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 6 MONTHS. HE DIED OCTOBER 7, 1942 DURING HIS INTERNMENT IN THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #2 CABANATUAN, LUZON. LATER DECLARED MISSING IN ACTION AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL.