William Ernest King was born on June 13, 1917. He was the son of Ernest William King and Marion Frances McClintock Liljegren. He served in the 93rd Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technician 3rd Grade during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, T3 King 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.

T3 King was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on July 4, 1942. He is now buried in the Glen Abbey Memorial Park, Bonita, San Diego County, California, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com