World War II Honoree

Warren G. Ledbetter

Hometown

North Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AT AGE 16. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS DURING THE WAR. TAKEN AS A PRISONER OF WAR (POW) OF THE JAPANESE AND HELD AT CABANATUAN IN THE PHILIPPINES. HE REMAINED IN THE PHILIPPINE CAMP FOR PART OF HIS IMPRISONMENT, AND THEN WAS MOVED TO A LABOR CAMP IN JAPAN. HELD AS A POW FOR SOME 3 1/2 YEARS UNTIL LIBERATED AFTER THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER AND THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 1945. REPATRIATED AND RETURNED TO THE STATES FOR TREATMENT OF DISEASES AND MALNUTRITION. AWARDED THE PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH ‘FOREIGN SERVICE’ CLASP, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE DEFENSE MEDAL WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR FOR SERVICE IN DEFENSE OF THE PHILIPPINES. CONTINUED IN U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER W4. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.