World War II Honoree

Eugene E. Bales

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

King County, Washington

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 65 DAYS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY JUNE 10, 1941 AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. SERVED WITH THE 5TH AIR FORCE, V-BOMBER COMMAND, 7TH CHEMICAL AVIATION COMPANY STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE FIGHTING AS AN INFANTRYMAN DURING THE BATTLE OF BATAAN 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 IN THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #1 CABANATUAN, NUEVA PROVINCE, LUZON. HE DIED SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1942 AND IS BURIED IN THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.