World War II Honoree

Lloyd P. Zimmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Matton, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 68 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS NOVEMBER 18, 1940 AT MATTOON, ILLINOIS. SERVED AS A B-17 BOMBER RADIO OPERATOR WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 5TH AIR FORCE V-BOMBER COMMAND, 19TH BOMB GROUP, 28TH BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT CLARK FIELD AND MCKINLEY FIELD IN THE PHILIPPINES. 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, LUZON. HE DIED JUNE 16, 1942 AND IS BURIED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED 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.