World War II Honoree

Harold V. Phillips

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lea County, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CORPORAL. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 55 DAYS. INDUCTED TO THE ARMY APRIL 5, 1941 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 #4 O’DONNELL, TARLAC LUZON WHERE HE DIED WEDNESDAY JUNE 3, 1942. HE IS BURIED IN 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 CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.