World War II Honoree

Donald V. Clinch

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Nahma, Michigan

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. Inducted into the United States Army October 9, 1940 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following his infantry training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands, and based at Camp John Hay in Baguio City, Luzon Island. Served in Mike Company, Third Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment attached to the Philippine Army Division. 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). 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 19, 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.