World War II Honoree

Adolfo Chavez, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Roosevelt County, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 29 MONTHS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY MARCH 27, 1941 AT SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY, CHARLIE 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 DAVAO PENAL COLONY, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. ON AUGUST 20, 1944, HE BOARDED THE JAPANESE ‘HELL SHIP’ SHINYO MARU ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRISONER DESTINED FOR JAPAN WHICH WAS TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY THE SUBMARINE, USS PADDLE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1944 OFF OF THE NORTHWEST COAST OF MINDANAO. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION OR BURIED AT SEA AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. 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.