World War II Honoree

John W. Redd

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Indiana

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: STAFF SERGEANT. BATAAN JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 42 MONTHS. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 5TH AIR FORCE, 5TH AIR BASE GROUP, HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON STATIONED AT MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE ASSIGNED TO THE PROVISIONAL INFANTRY COMPANY AND ENGAGED IN COMBAT DURING THE DEFENSE OF LUZON AND RETREATING TO THE BATAAN PENINSULA, THE JAPANESE INVADING FORCES CAPTURED HIM APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND INCARCERATED AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP DAVAO, LUZON. EVENTUALLY TRANSPORTED TO JAPAN ON A ‘HELL SHIP’ AND INTERNED AT THE OSAKA MAIN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP CHIKKO, OSAKA, JAPAN WHERE HE WORKED AS A FORCED LABORER UNTIL HIS LIBERATION. HE WAS REPATRIATED BACK TO U.S. MILITARY CONTROL OCTOBER 20, 1945. DECORATIONS: A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.