World War II Honoree

Charles C. Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 41 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. FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND HELD CAPTIVE AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #2 DAVAO, MINDANAO. SHIPPED TO JAPAN ON A JAPANESE ‘HELL SHIP’ ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRISONERS, INTERNED AT THE OSAKA MAIN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP CHIKKO, JAPAN. HE WAS USED AS A FORCED LABORER DURING HIS INTERNMENT AND REPATRIATED BACK TO U.S. MILITARY CONTROL SEPTEMBER 9, 1945. DECORATIONS: HE WAS AWARDED ALONG WITH HIS UNIT A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.