World War II Honoree

John R. Ray

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Blair County, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CORPORAL. BATAAN JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 5TH AIR FORCE, HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 803RD ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION STATIONED 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 ARMED FORCES CAPTURED HIM APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE WAS FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH, BECOMING A PRISONER OF WAR FOR 8 MONTHS. HE DIED DECEMBER 17, 1942 WHILE INTERNED AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #4 O’DONNELL TARLAC, LUZON AND 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.