Samon George John

Name:

George John Samon

Rank:

Corporal

Serial Number:

18031197

Unit:

93rd Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1942-07-12

State:

Texas

Cemetery:

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines

Plot:

N

Row:

2

Grave:

44

Decoration:

Comments:

George John Samon was born in 1920, in Austin, Travis County, Texas. He was the son of John W. Samon and Amelia Daywood Samon. He served in the 93rd Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Corporal during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Cpl Samon 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.

Cpl Samon was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on July 12, 1942. He is now buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Source of information: www.livescience.com