World War II Honoree

William Harrison Patrick

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Knoxville, Tennessee

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: BOATSWAIN’S MATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 29 MONTHS. SERVED ABOARD THE USS CANOPUS (AS-9) SUBMARINE TENDER ASSIGNED TO THE SUBMARINE SQUADRON 20 STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HIS SHIP, BADLY DAMAGED BY JAPANESE BOMBERS WAS SCUTTLED AND SUNK IN DEEP WATERS APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BY THE JAPANESE INVADING ARMED FORCES. HE WAS EVACUATED TO THE ISLAND OF CORREGIDOR ‘THE ROCK’, LOCATED ACROSS THE BAY FROM MANILA AND SERVED IN THE 4TH MARINE REGIMENT, 4TH BATTALION RESERVES (PROVISIONAL) AND FOUGHT GALLANTLY DURING THE FINAL BATTLE FOR THE ISLAND FORTRESS. CAPTURED MAY 6, 1942 THE DAY THAT GENERAL WAINWRIGHT WAS FORCED TO SURRENDER CORREGIDOR TO THE JAPANESE. TRANSFERRED TO THE MAINLAND BY BARGE AND INTERNED AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP LOS BANOS, LAGUNA, LUZON. ON OCTOBER 11, 1944 HE BOARDED THE JAPANESE 'HELL SHIP', THE ARISAN MARU DESTINED FOR JAPAN WHICH WAS TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY THE SUBMARINE, USS SHARK OCTOBER 24, 1944. WAS REPORTED BURIED AT SEA AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINES. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL.