World War II Honoree

Clarence E. Nichols

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bourbon County, Kansas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 21 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY AIR CORPS SEPTEMBER 16, 1940. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES, 5TH AIR FORCE, V-BOMBER COMMAND, 7TH CHEMICAL AVIATION COMPANY STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE ASSIGNED TO THE PROVISIONAL INFANTRY COMPANY AND 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 #4 O’DONNELL, TARLAC LUZON WHERE HE DIED THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1942. HE IS BURIED IN 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 EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.