World War II Honoree

Joseph Jacob Zink

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Munhall, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Platoon Sergeant. Japanese Prisoner of War for 31½ months. Served with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment assigned to the Cavite Navy Yard located in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands. He participated in the Philippine Campaign (Battle Dates: December 8, 1942-May 6, 1942), the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Japan Empire. On Thursday, April 9, 1942, the invaders in the Battle of Bataan on the island of Luzon captured him, while his unit was in retreat to the Bataan Peninsula. Forced to participate in the Bataan Death March and incarcerated at a Civilian Prisoner of War Camp in the Manila area. Boarded the Japanese ‘Hell Ship’ Arisan Maru, an unmarked transport October 11, 1944 along with hundreds of other prisoners destined for a Prisoner of War Camp in Japan. Reported Missing in Action, Lost at Sea when a United States Submarine torpedoed and sunk the transport Tuesday, October 24, 1944. In his memory, he is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Fort Bonifacio located in Manila, Philippine Islands. Decorations and Citations: Purple Heart, Marine Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. This Marine, an American Patriot, awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.