World War II Honoree

Edith M. Corns

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cleveland, Ohio

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

SERVED AS ARMY NURSE, WAS ASSIGNED TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AND AROUND MANILA AND LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED ON DECEMBER 8, 1941. IN JANUARY 1942 WAS TRANSFERRED TO BATAAN AND IN APRIL 1942 TRANSFERRED TO THE ISLAND OF CORREGIDOR. DURING THESE TIMES AND UNDER DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS TREATED PATIENTS WHILE UNDER THE CONSTANT ATTACK OF THE JAPANESE. WAS CAPTURED ON CORREGIDOR ON JUNE 25, 1942 AND TRANSFERRED TO SANTO TOMAS INTERNMENT CAMP IN MANILA ON AUGUST 25, 1942. WHILE HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR, ADMINISTERED TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED UNDER BARBARIC CONDITIONS INCLUDING LONG HOURS OF WORK AND BARELY ENOUGH FOOD TO SUSTAIN LIFE, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTREME LOSS OF WEIGHT, VARIOUS ILLNESS AND DISEASES. ON FEBRUARY 3, 1945 WAS LIBERATED FROM SANTO TOMAS INTERNMENT CAMP AND PROMOTED 1 GRADE IN RANK. AWARDED BRONZE STAR, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH 2 BATTLE STARS, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL WITH 1 BATTLE STAR, PHILIPPINE DEFENSE RIBBON WITH 1 BATTLE STAR, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH 1 BATTLE STAR AND 6 HASH MARKS FOR YEARS OF OVERSEAS MILITARY SERVICE.