World War II Honoree

Robert Besson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

Bend Heroes Foundation

CAPTURED IN THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS EARLY IN WWII, HE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR AS A PRISONER OF WAR OF THE JAPANESE. HE RETIRED AS A U.S. ARMY COLONEL. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST AN ARMED ENEMY, IN ACTION AGAINST ENEMY FORCES ON 26 DECEMBER 1941. HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, PERSONAL BRAVERY AND ZEALOUS DEVOTION TO DUTY EXEMPLIFY THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MILITARY FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES AND REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, HIS UNIT, AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY. GENERAL ORDERS: HEADQUARTERS, U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST, GENERAL ORDERS NO. 14 (1942).