World War II Honoree

Newton J. Patton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Dixon, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Staff Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Army January 6, 1941 as a member of the New Mexico Army National Guard with induction at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Following the completion of his infantry training at Fort Bliss, Texas, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands, and based at Fort Stotsenburg, Luzon Island. He served as a member of Delta Battery, an element of the 200th Coastal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment, the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays. 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). While retreating to the Bataan Peninsula, he was captured on 9 April during the ensuing Battle of Bataan. As a prisoner, his captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March, and detained at the Prisoner of War Camp #4 O’Donnell, Luzon Island. Wednesday, July 15, 1942 he died of unknown causes, with burial in the Prisoner Cemetery. Succeeding hostilities with Japan, personnel from a Graves Registration Company disinterred his remains from the camp cemetery, and were laid to rest in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery Location: Manila #2 Manila, Philippine Islands. In the post-war era, this Soldier’s family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at the 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.