Eugene J. McCourt Jr. was born on February 19, 1923, in New York. He was the son of Eugene J. McCourt and Eva McCourt. He worked in the production of bakery products before enlisting in the Army on August 9, 1940. He served in the 31st Infantry 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 McCourt 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 McCourt was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on June 18, 1942. He is now buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna, Erie County, New York, USA.

Source of information:www.livescience.com