World War II Honoree

Segundo D. Garcia

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philippine Islands

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 89 DAYS. HE WAS A FILIPINO NATIVE, WHO SERVED AS A PHILIPPINE SCOUT WITH THE U.S. ARMY, 26TH CAVALRY REGIMENT. 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 AN UNKNOWN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP ON LUZON. REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATION AND MEDALS: HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND 3 STREAMERS, EMBROIDERED LUZON 1941-1942, BATAAN AND THE DEFENSE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.