World War II Honoree

Clayton H. Gibbons

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tucson, Arizona

Honored By

Carole Telly

Relationship

Daughter

Served as part of the first troop serving in the Philippines in 1942. Was bombed by the Japanese and presumed dead for more than 2 years. Interned in Mukden Prison Camp; contracted malaria; witnessed the Bataan Death March -- 60,000 prisoners of war marched; 10,000 died; 1,600 prisoners were crammed into the hull of a ship, including him, and sent to Japan to a work camp. Under horrible conditions, only 400 survived; 200 of those are living today. Discharged in 1945. Awarded the Purple Heart. His grandson played taps at the November 11, 2000 groundbreaking ceremony.