World War II Honoree

Richard Duncan

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Detroit, Michigan

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant Major. At an unknown date, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands, and based at Fort Mills Location: Corregidor Island AKA: the Rock. He served in Hotel Company, as the Company’s First Sergeant, of the Second Battalion, an element of the 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 and detained at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan, Luzon Island. Wednesday, October 11, 1944 he boarded the Japanese ‘Hell Ship’ Arisan Maru, destined for Japan. Reported Missing in Action or buried at sea Tuesday, October 24, 1944 when the transport was torpedoed, and sunk in the Bashi Channel, South China Sea 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 received the following decorations posthumously: Silver Star and the Purple Heart. The Silver Star was awarded to the Sergeant for Distinguished Gallantry in Action and Valor in Combat against an enemy force and the Purple Heart, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.