World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Alvin J. Bethard
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Trout, Louisiana
Honored By
Alvin J. Bethard
SENT TO FORT MCKINLEY, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IN JANUARY 1941. ATTACHED TO THE 45TH INFANTRY, PHILIPPINE SCOUTS, SENT TO BATAAN AFTER PEARL HARBOR. ASSIGNED AS A SUPPLY OFFICER. MOVED THE BATTALION'S AMMUNITION SUPPLY FROM FRONT LINES UNDER HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR THIS ACTION. SURRENDERED IN APRIL 1942 AND SURVIVED THE DEATH MARCH. IMPRISONED AT CAMP O'DONNELL, MINDANAO, CABANATUAN AND MANILA. TRANSFERRED TO JAPAN IN 1944 AND SURVIVED A DIRECT HIT BY AMERICAN PLANES ON THE FORWARD HOLD OF THE SHIP. IMPRISONED AT MOJI, JAPAN AND MANCHURIA WHERE HE WAS LIBERATED BY RUSSIAN FORCES ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1945.