Jerry Charlie Zaruba was born on November 4, 1913, in El Campo, Wharton County, Texas. He was the son of John Zaruba and Annie J. Kocurek Zaruba. He served in the 515th Coast Artillery Regiment as a Private First Class during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, PFC Zaruba 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.

PFC Zaruba was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on April 22, 1942. He is now buried in the Holy Cross Memorial Park, El Campo, Wharton County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com