World War II Honoree

Antonio J. Gallegos

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Deming, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Technician Fourth Grade. He was inducted into the United States Army January 6, 1941 at the Deming Army Air Field, New Mexico, with recruit and combat training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Following his infantry training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands, and based at Fort Stotsenburg on Luzon Island. Served in Headquarters Battery, a Branch of the 200th Coastal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment, the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays. His Regiment 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 June 18, 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 Soldier received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest with Military Honors April 24, 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.