World War II Honoree

Raymond O. Willis

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Calaveras, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 75 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY SEPTEMBER 10, 1940 AT SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED WITH THE MEDICAL DETACHMENT, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 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 ON LUZON WHERE HE DIED TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1942. HE IS BURIED IN THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: PURPLE HEART. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.