World War II Honoree

William A. Hamilton, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Dallas, Texas

Honored By

Missouri DAV Chapter 67

HE SERVED ON CORREGIDOR ISLAND AT THE ENTRANCE TO MANILA BAY IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, IN COMMAND OF AN ANTI-AIRCRAFT UNIT. WHEN THE JAPANESE CAPTURED THE ISLAND, HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER AND SERVED 3 1/2 YEARS IN JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS INCLUDING CAMP CABANATUAN IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND CAMP FUKUOKA ON KYUSHU ISLAND IN JAPAN. THREE TIMES HE SURVIVED THE SINKING OF 'HELL SHIPS', INCLUDING THE ORYOKU MARU, THE ENOURA MARU AND THE BRAZIL MARU, ALL BOMBED BY THE AMERICAN AIR FORCE DURING PRISONER TRANSPORT BY THE JAPANESE. HE WAS FINALLY LIBERATED FROM CAMP HOTEN IN MUKDEN, MANCHURIA IN AUGUST 1945. HE WAS AWARDED A BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE WITH THREE (3) OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, ALONG WITH OTHERS.