World War II Honoree

Benjamin E. Pope

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 252 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY MARCH 17, 1940 AT MCCHORD FIELD, WASHINGTON. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY, HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT, 2ND BATTALION, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, PHILIPPINE DIVISION. 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 DECEMBER 17, 1942. HE WAS BURIED ON LUZON AND WHEN HOSTILITIES HAD CEASED WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO WISCONSIN FOR BURIAL, WITH INTERMENT IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. 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.