Edward French – Harrodsburg Tanker

Edward Theodore French

Sergeant

1917–1942 BIRTH 16 AUG 1917 • Boyle County, Kentucky, USA DEATH 22 APR 1942 • died In a Japanese POW field hospital, Bataan, Philippines (friendly fire); buried, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines, PLOT, Plot L, Row 4, Grave 90, MEMORIAL ID, 56760376 Highest Grade Completed; Elementary school, 8th grade. Occupation; Farmer. (He was not married.)

Edward T. French Sergeant Edward Theodore French joined the Harrodsburg National Guard unit, along with his brother Morgan, some time before they were activated in November 1940. He was injured by shrapnel from Japanese bombing and was in a field hospital on Bataan. In an attempt to prevent the American guns on Corregidor and Ft. Drum from firing on their artillery, the Japanese placed their guns among the buildings of the hospital. When a shell fired from Ft. Drum fell short and hit the hospital, Edward, along with 24 other soldiers, was killed on 22 April 1942 as a result of “friendly fire.” He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries received during combat.

Pvt Edward Theodore French BIRTH, 16 Aug 1917, Boyle County, Kentucky, USA DEATH, 22 Apr 1942 (aged 24) BURIAL, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines PLOT, Plot L Row 4 Grave 90 MEMORIAL ID, 56760376 196th Tank Battalion Purple Heart Recipient Gravesite Details Entered the service from Kentucky