World War II Honoree

Frank L. Choate

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Morgan County, Alabama

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 120 DAYS. SERVED WITH U.S. ARMY, MIKE COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINES. WHILE 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 #4 O’DONNELL, TARLAC, LUZON WHERE HE DIED JUN 8, 1942. HE WAS BURIED ON LUZON AND WHEN HOSTILITIES HAD CEASED WITH JAPAN; HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO ALABAMA FOR BURIAL, WITH INTERMENT IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.