World War II Honoree

Archie E. Moss

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Delta, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: STAFF SERGEANT. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 43 MONTHS. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES FAR EAST COMMAND, 27TH MATERIAL SQUADRON, 20TH AIR BASE GROUP, 5TH AIR FORCE STATIONED AT NICHOLS FIELD, 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 HELD CAPTIVE AT AN UNKNOWN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP ON LUZON. SHIPPED TO JAPAN ON A JAPANESE ‘HELL SHIP’ ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRISONERS, INTERNED AT THE TOKYO PRISONER OF WAR CAMP, SHINJUKU LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF TOKYO BAY. HE WAS USED AS A FORCED LABORER DURING HIS INTERNMENT AND REPATRIATED BACK TO U.S. MILITARY CONTROL NOVEMBER 11, 1945. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BATTLE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON 1 BATTLE STAR. HE WAS ALSO AWARDED, ALONG WITH HIS UNIT, A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.