World War II Honoree

Paul Edward Perry

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: SEAMAN 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 PHILIPPINES. HIS SHIP, BADLY DAMAGED BY JAPANESE BOMBERS WAS SCUTTLED AND SUNK IN DEEP WATERS OF MARIVELES BAY 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 AN UNKNOWN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP ON LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. TRANSPORTED TO JAPAN AND INCARCERATED AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP FUTATABI #4 CAMP KOBE, JAPAN WHERE HE DIED FEBRUARY 19, 1943. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES, HIS BODY WAS BROUGHT HOME FOR BURIAL WITH INTERMENT IN A CALIFORNIA PRIVATE CEMETERY.