World War II Honoree

Maxon H. Gillette

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Skedee, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1934, LONG BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ENTERED THE WAR. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT FORT SILL AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IN 1939 AND WAS SERVING THERE WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. SHORTLY AFTER, THE JAPANESE INVADED THE PHILIPPINES. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WITH THE 3RD PURSUIT SQUADRON, 24TH PURSUIT GROUP. HE WAS INITIALLY REPORTED AS BEING KILLED IN ACTION ON DECEMBER 12, 1941. LATER, HIS STATUS WAS CHANGED AND HE WAS LISTED AS A PRISONER OF WAR (POW) OF THE JAPANESE. HE WAS ROUTINELY FORCED TO LIVE AND WORK IN INHUMANE CONDITIONS, AND DEPRIVED OF FOOD AND WATER AND MEDICAL TREATMENT. HE WAS SHUTTLED BETWEEN CAMPS AND MOVED IN BOX CARS, ON FOOT AND ON A ‘HELL SHIP’ TO JAPAN. HE DIED ON JANUARY 31, 1943 AT OSAKA, JAPAN WHILE A PRISONER OF THE JAPANESE. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, 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 FOR SERVICE IN DEFENSE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND BATAAN.