World War II Honoree

Sam S. Fairchild

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Denver, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. Inducted into the United States Army Air Corps December 13, 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Deployed to the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, Philippine Islands after the completion of his infantry training and aircraft schooling. While stationed at Nichols Field, he served as a member of the 21st Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, V-Interceptor Command, a subordinate unit of the United States Far East Fifth Air Force. He participated in the Philippine Islands Campaign, assigned to a Provisional Infantry Company (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942), the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval forces. The enemy captured him on Luzon, April 9, 1942 in the Battle of Bataan, while his unit was in retreat to the Bataan Peninsula. His captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March and held in captivity at the Prisoner of War Camp #4 O’Donnell Tarlac Luzon for 41 days. On Wednesday, May 20, 1942, he died of unknown causes and buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Manila #2 Philippine Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were returned to his family for burial, with interment March 17, 1949 at the Fort Sam Huston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. This Airman, an American Patriot, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.