Elmer Leroy Garrison was born on May 17, 1905, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the son of Henry Scott Garrison and Lucy Ann White Garrison. He served in the 803rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation, as a Staff Sergeant during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, SSgt Garrison was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

SSgt Garrison was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on April 25, 1942. He is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com