World War II Honoree

Robert Allois Barker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Springfield, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Captain. Graduate of West Point the United States Military Academy. Served in the Philippine Islands, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations as the Commanding Officer of an anti-tank company attached to the 31st Infantry Regiment. While his regiment was in retreat to the Bataan Peninsula in the Battle of Bataan (Battle Dates: January 7-April 9, 1942), the Japanese forces captured him on the last day of the battle. His captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March, incarcerated at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan Nueva Province, Luzon. Wednesday, December 13, 1944, he boarded the Japanese ‘Hell Ship’, an unmarked merchant vessel, the Oryoku Maru along with 1,619 other Prisoners of War destined for Japan via Formosa. On Friday, December 15, 1944, the transport came under attack and sunk by U.S. Naval Fighters from the Aircraft Carrier, USS Hornet. The Survivors were loaded on another ‘Hell Ship’ the Brazil Maru on Christmas Day, arriving Takao Harbor ‘Formosa’ on New Year’s Eve. Reported missing in action, lost at sea Wednesday, January 17, 1945, 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. Decorations and Citations: Bronze Star for Bravery, Act of Merit and Meritorious Service in Combat. This Soldier, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.