World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Harold R. Chilcoat
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Woodland, Washington
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private. On August 4, 1941, he entered the United States Army Air Corps at Portland, Oregon, later deployed to the Philippine Islands, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. Served with the Fourth Chemical Aviation Company, Fifth Air Base Group attached to the United States Far East 5th Air Force. Assigned to a Provisional Infantry Company, he participated in the Philippine Islands Campaign (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942), the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval Forces. The Japanese captured him April 9, 1942 on Luzon while retreating to the Bataan Peninsula in the Battle of Bataan. His captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March and held captive at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan Nueva Province, Luzon. Reported Missing in Action Thursday, July 2, 1942 on the 85th day of his incarceration. In remembrance of the Brave, his name is recorded in the Tablets of the Missing, memorialized at the American Cemetery located at Fort Bonifacio in Manila, Philippine Islands. This Airman, an American Patriot so gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.