World War II Honoree

Robert W. Adams

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Berkshire County, Massachusetts

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. BATAAN JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 5TH AIR FORCE, V-BOMBER COMMAND, 27TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP STATIONED AT SAN FERNANDO FIELD, 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 HELD CAPTIVE 73 DAYS AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP LOS BANOS, LAGUNA, LUZON WHERE HE DIED JUNE 21, 1942. HIS REMAINS WERE EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN FOR BURIAL. HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.