World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Ray Wood Pickering
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Parkersburg, West Virginia
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Second Lieutenant. He served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, and based at Fort Mills Location: Corregidor Island AKA: the Rock. Served with Bravo Company, First Battalion and Fourth Marine Regiment. His unit participated in the Battle of Corregidor against the Imperial Japanese forces (Battle Dates: May 5-6, 1942). When his Commander, General Wainwright capitulated to the enemy, he was captured on the second day of the invasion. As a prisoner, he was detained at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan, Luzon Island. On October 11, 1944 he boarded the Japanese ‘Hell Ship’ Arisan Maru, destined for Japan. Reported Missing in Action or buried at sea October 24, 1944 when the transport was torpedoed and sunk by a U.S. Submarine. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.