World War II Honoree

William J. Wells

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Green Lake County, Wisconsin

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CORPORAL. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 232 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY MARCH 20, 1941. SERVED AS A BAND MEMBER WITH THE U.S. ARMY 200TH COASTAL ARTILLERY ANTIAIRCRAFT REGIMENT, THE HARBOR DEFENSE OF MANILA AND SUBIC BAYS, 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 WAS HELD CAPTIVE AT AN UNKNOWN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP ON LUZON. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION NOVEMBER 28, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.