World War II Honoree

Jack S. Alter

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

New Kensington, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. Inducted into the United States Army January 10, 1940 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he attended the Flight Aviation Training Program. Following the completion of this training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. Served as a member of the U.S. Far East Fifth Air Force, and stationed at Clark Airfield, Luzon Island. Assigned to the Headquarters Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group a Branch of the V-Interceptor Command. 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). 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 at the Prisoner of War Camp #4 O’Donnell, Luzon Island. He died of unknown causes May 25, 1942, with burial in the Prisoner Cemetery. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Airman requested that he be buried at 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.