World War II Honoree

Bowen P. Aker, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Marion, Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. He was inducted into the United States Army October 4, 1940 at Richmond, Virginia. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was designated to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. Following the completion of his aircraft schooling, he was deployed to the Philippines. His unit participated in the Battle of the Philippines, the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval Forces (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942). He was captured 9 April in the Battle of Bataan, while retreating to the Bataan Peninsula. As a prisoner, he was subjected to participate in the Bataan Death March, incarcerated in the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan, Luzon Island. On August 2, 1942 he died of unknown causes, with burial in the Prisoner Cemetery. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, personnel from an American Graves Registration Company disinterred his remains from the camp cemetery, and were laid to rest in the Manila American Cemetery at Fort William-McKinley, Philippine Islands. The family of this Airman received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest with Military Honors April 4, 1952 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Saint Louis, Missouri. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.