World War II Honoree

Sergio Garcia

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philippine Islands

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 96 DAYS. HE WAS A FILIPINO NATIVE, WHO SERVED AS A PHILIPPINE SCOUT WITH THE U.S. ARMY, 45TH INFANTRY REGIMENT. WHILE FIGHTING 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 AN UNKNOWN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: BRONZE STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE SOLDIER FOR BRAVERY, ACT OF MERIT AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE. 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.