World War II Honoree

Jonathan Wainwright

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Walla Walla, Washington

Honored By

Missouri DAV Chapter 67

HE WAS SERVING IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AS THE 4TH ARMY'S COMMANDER WHEN THE UNITED STATES ENTERED THE WAR. NICKNAMED 'HERO OF BATAAN' WHEN THE BATAAN PENINSULA FELL, THOUSANDS OF TROOPS ESCAPED TO CORREGIDOR WHERE THEY FOUGHT THE JAPANESE. HE SURRENDERED THE ISLAND TO THE JAPANESE ON 6 MAY 1942. HE AND HIS REMAINING TROOPS WERE FORCED TO JOIN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH. IN AUGUST 1945 THEY WERE LIBERATED FROM A PRISONER OF WAR CAMP. HE WAS THEN STANDING ON THE DECK OF THE USS MISSOURI DURING THE JAPANESE SURRENDER.