World War II Honoree

Lowell C. Akers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Napa, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. Inducted into the United States Army March 12, 1940 at San Francisco, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was designated to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. Following the completion of his Ordnance Schooling at Hamilton Army Airfield California, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands. Served as a member of the U.S. Far East Fifth Air Force, and stationed at Nichols Airfield, Luzon Island. Assigned to the 680th Ordnance Company (Aviation), 24th Pursuit Group a Branch of the V-Fighter Command. His unit participated in the Battle of the Philippines, the conquest of the Philippines by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval Forces (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942). Captured on 9 April in the Battle of Bataan, while retreating to the Bataan Peninsula. As a prisoner, his captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March, incarcerated in an unstated Prisoner of War Camp. Reported missing in action, lost at sea November 14, 1942. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery location: Fort Bonifacio, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.