World War II Honoree

Cecil B. Cohernour

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Greenbrier, West Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: STAFF SERGEANT. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 32 MONTHS. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY MARCH 11, 1939 AT ELYRIA, OHIO. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY, MEDICAL DETACHMENT, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, PHILIPPINE DIVISION. WHILE FIGHTING AND RETREATING TO THE BATAAN PENINSULA, THE JAPANESE ARMED 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 #1 CABANATUAN, TARLAC LUZON. ON DECEMBER 13, 1944 HE BOARDED THE JAPANESE ‘HELL SHIP’ ORYOKU MARU ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRISONERS DESTINED FOR JAPAN VIA FORMOSA. WHILE ANCHORED IN THE SUBIC BAY HARBOR, THE ORYOKU MARU WAS ATTACKED AND SUNK DECEMBER 15, 1944 BY U.S. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FIGHTERS FROM THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER, USS HORNET. HE SURVIVED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ORYOKU MARU AND WAS KILLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE FROM HIS CAPTORS. REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1944 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: SILVER STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE SILVER STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE SERGEANT FOR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN ACTION.