State Heroes

Private First Class Melvin Eugene Bender

Streeter, ND

Branch of Service: Marines

Date of Loss: March 06, 1943 / Age:

Died while in Prisoner of War status on Dec 17, 1943.

First Lieutenant Clarence Edward Van Ray

Valley City, ND

Branch of Service: Marines

Date of Loss: May 06, 1942 / Age:

Was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.

Corporal Willard Fred Van Alst

Williston, ND

Branch of Service: Marines

Date of Loss: April 09, 1942 / Age:

Was captured by the Japanese at Fort Mills, Philippine Islands and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.

Seaman Second Class James Andrew Guy

Grand Forks, ND

Branch of Service: Navy

Date of Loss: February 28, 1942 / Age:

Died while in Prisoner of War status on Sep 12, 1943.

Patternmaker Third Class Eddy Warren Fuller

Minot, ND

Branch of Service: Navy

Date of Loss: May 06, 1942 / Age:

Was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.

First Sergeant Earl O. Carlson

World War I (WWI), World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Marines

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Headquarters Company

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:2nd Battalion

Date of Loss: January 28, 1943 / Age: 47

Died in the Osaka Prison Camp

Corporal Benjamin F. Winter

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: September 25, 1942 / Age: 27

Died in service as a POW in the Philippine Islands.

Private Teddy Belcheff

Normania Township, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:16th Bomber Squadron

Date of Loss: June 20, 1942 / Age: 26

Died while in POW status. Philippines. Remains not recovered.

Staff Sergeant Casper J. Oie

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Air Corps

Date of Loss: October 24, 1942 / Age: 24

POW: Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp, Luzon, Philippines.

Died of dysentery and malnutrition on October 24, 1942. Buried in mass grave at POW Camp.

Remains recovered October 1952.

Corporal LaVerne E. Ulmer

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: July 28, 1942 / Age: 24

Died in service at the POW Camp Cabanatuan in the Philippine Islands

Corporal Willard F. Van Alst

Williston, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Marines

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Marine Corps

Date of Loss: November 10, 1942 / Age:

Died in a POW camp.

Private First Class Earl C. Everson

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: May 22, 1942 / Age: 31

Died in a POW Camp 4 O'Donnel Tarlac Luzon Philippines that was under Japanese control.

Corporal Frederick E. Mayo

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: June 16, 1942 / Age: 21

Died in service as a POW in Luzon, Philippine Islands

First Lieutenant Harvey F. Rice

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:194th Tank Battalion

Date of Loss: July 01, 1942 / Age: 24

According to records kept by the POW medical staff, Harvey was admitted to the camp hospital on June 18, 1942, suffering from dysentery and a poor diet, and assigned to Barracks 3.

Private First Class Joseph L. Smith

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:194th Tank Battalion

Date of Loss: April 15, 1942 / Age: 27

Died while in POW status. Took part in the Bataan Death March, where he was killed by a Japanese guard and buried. After the war his remains were recovered.

Private Harold A. Hall

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: July 04, 1942 / Age: 28

Died in Cabanatuan POW camp of Malaria