World War II Honoree

William L. Hawley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Duranes, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Technician 5th Class. On January 6, 1941, he entered the United States Army as a member of the New Mexico National Guard. Deployed to the Philippine Islands, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. served with Baker Battery, a subordinate unit of the 200th Coastal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment, the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays. Assigned to a Provisional Infantry Company, his unit participated in the Battle of the Philippine Islands, the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval Forces (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942). The Japanese captured him April 9, 1942 in the Battle of Bataan, Luzon Island (Battle Dates: January 7-April 9, 1942) while in retreat to the Bataan Peninsula. His captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March, incarcerated at the Prisoner of War Camp #4 O’Donnell Tarlac Luzon. He died Saturday May 23, 1942 of wounds sustained on the Death March on the 44th day of his incarceration and buried in the Prisoner of War Cemetery at Camp O’Donnell. In remembrance of the Brave, his name is recorded on one of the twelve granite columns at the Bataan Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This Soldier, an American Patriot so gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.