World War II Honoree

Oziel Chavez

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lincoln County, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 132 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY MARCH 15, 1942 AT SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY, DELTA BATTERY, 200TH COASTAL ARTILLERY ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT, THE HARBOR DEFENSE OF MANILA AND SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 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 WAS HELD CAPTIVE AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #2 CABANATUAN, NUEVA PROVINCE LUZON. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 3 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.