World War II Honoree

Earl J. Eberly

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Harris, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 32 MONTHS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY SEPTEMBER 13, 1941 AT HOUSTON, TEXAS. SERVED IN THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, HOSPITAL #1 DURING HIS TOUR IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE FIGHTING WITH THE PROVISIONAL INFANTRY COMPANY AND RETREATING TO THE BATAAN PENINSULA, HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND WAS HELD CAPTIVE AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #1 CABANATUAN, TARLAC LUZON. ON DECEMBER 13, 1944 HE BOARDED THE JAPANESE ‘HELL SHIP’ ORYOKU MARU ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRISONERS DESTINED FOR JAPAN. HE DIED THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1944 WHEN U.S. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FROM THE USS HORNET ATTACKED THE ORYOKU SEVERAL TIMES AS IT MOVED ALONG THE WESTERN COAST OF BATAAN. REPORTED AS MISSING IN ACTION, LOST AT SEA TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1945 AND HE IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINES. DECORATION AND CITATION: THE SOLDIER WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.