World War II Honoree

Henry H. Araujo

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Denver, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Army October 4, 1940 at Denver, Colorado. 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 Philippine Islands and based at Fort Mills on Corregidor Island AKA: the Rock. He served in an unstated numbered Squadron, and participated in the Battle of Corregidor against the Imperial Japanese forces (Battle Dates: May 5-6, 1942). Captured on the second day of the invasion, when his Commander General Wainwright capitulated to the enemy. As a prisoner, he was transferred to the Puerto Princesa Prisoner of War Camp on Palawan Island. The Palawan Massacre took his life on December 14, 1944, 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, laid to rest at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Lemay, Missouri on February 15, 1952 with Military Honors. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.