Emery M. High was born on August 21, 1921 in Watsontown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Edgar F. High and Ella R. Snyder High. He enlisted in the Army on November 28, 1942 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At the time of enlistment, Emery was single, stood 66 inches tall, weighed 177 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. He was working as a semiskilled construction machinery operator.

Pfc Emory M. High was a member of the Mortar Platoon of "E" Company, Second Battalion 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was killed on the first day of the retaking of Corregidor.

A good number of 'E' Company men landed well short of their landing zone, "A" Field. Many men land in Battery Wheeler-Cheney Ravine area. Among these were members of the mortar platoon, whose stick was led by S/Sgt. Edward Gulsvick.

Ahead of him in the stick, and killed in the ravine were S/Sgt. Edward Gulsvick, Pfc Jimmie T. Rovolis, Pfc Matthew D. Musolino and Pfc Emory M. High. All four of these men died at the hands of the Japanese. Source: Day Report - Friday 16 February 1945 Jimmie Rovolis and Emery High's were taken by the Japanese and their bodies were never found. They remain MIA.