World War II Honoree

Malcolm L. Conner

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Orange County, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 135 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS NOVEMBER 14, 1940 AT FORT MACARTHUR, SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES, 5TH AIR FORCE, V-BOMBER COMMAND, 5TH AIR BASE GROUP, 7TH MATERIAL SQUADRON STATIONED 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 #1 CABANATUAN. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.