World War II Honoree

William L. Patrick

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Louisiana

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. BATAAN JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 42 MONTHS. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 5TH AIR FORCE, V-BOMBER COMMAND, 19TH BOMB GROUP, 440TH ORDNANCE COMPANY ‘AVIATION’ STATIONED AT CLARK FIELD IN THE 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. HE WAS FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND HELD CAPTIVE AT UNKNOWN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP ON LUZON. EVENTUALLY TRANSPORTED TO JAPAN ON A ‘HELL SHIP’ AND INTERNED AT THE TOKYO PRISONER OF WAR CAMP SHINJUKU, TOKYO BAY, JAPAN WHERE HE WORKED AS A FORCED LABORER. REPATRIATED BACK TO U.S. MILITARY CONTROL OCTOBER 21, 1945. HE WAS AWARDED ALONG WITH HIS UNIT A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.