World War II Honoree

Claude E. Guier

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Castle Rock, Washington

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On July 11, 1941, he entered the United States Army at Tacoma, Washington, later deployed to the Philippine Islands, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. Served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 31st U.S. Infantry Regiment attached to the Philippine Division. His unit 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 #4 O’Donnell Tarlac, Luzon. Tuesday, July 7, 1942, he died of unknown causes on the 89th day of his incarceration and buried in the Prisoner of War Cemetery at Camp O’Donnell. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were transferred to the American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio in Manila, Philippine Islands. This Soldier, an American Patriot so gallantly gave his life in defense of his country.