World War II Honoree

Willard C. Cline

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Walla Walla, Washington

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. Inducted into the United States Army October 31, 1940 at Fort George Wright, Washington. Following his infantry training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands, and based at Camp John Hay in Baguio City, Luzon Island. Served in Hotel Company, Second Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment attached to the Philippine Army Division. 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). Soldiers of the Thirty-First in the Battle of Bataan covered the withdrawal of American and Philippine forces to the Bataan Peninsula. Captured on 9 April in the Bataan Battle, 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. On May 31, 1942 he died of unknown causes, with burial in the Prisoner Cemetery. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Soldier requested that he be buried at Manila American Cemetery Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.