World War II Honoree

Byron W. Fisher

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Miami County, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: TECHNICIAN 5TH CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 104 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY AIR CORPS APRIL 19, 1941 AT FORT THOMAS, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 5TH AIR FORCE, 24TH PURSUIT GROUP, 21ST PURSUIT SQUADRON STATIONED AT NICHOLS FIELD. ASSIGNED TO THE PROVISIONAL INFANTRY COMPANY, WHILE ENGAGED IN COMBAT DURING THE BATTLE OF BATAAN 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 WAS HELD CAPTIVE AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #1 CABANATUAN, NUEVA PROVINCE LUZON. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.