Beitler, Francis F.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: BIET.F001
• _FGRAVE: 56769603
• Military Service: World War II, First Sergeant, Headquarters Squadron, 27th Bomb Group, United States Army Air Forces

Notes:

He resided in Clay County, Illinois prior to the war.

Francis was assigned to Headquarters Squadron, 27th Bomber Group, Light. The Squadron arrived in the Philippines in November 1941. They were awaiting their aircraft which were being shipped to the Philippines when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the Philippines on December 8th. The ship carrying the planes was diverted to Australia and the Squadron Commander and 20 crews flew to Australia to get their planes.

The rest of the men in the 27th withdrew to the Bataan Peninsula and were formed into the 2nd Battalion, 27th Bomber Group Provisional Infantry Regiment Air Corps This was the only Air Corps unit to fight as an Infantry Regiment. On 09 April 1942 the US and Filipino forces were surrendered to the Japanese. Francis experienced the horrors of the Bataan Death March as he walked to San Fernando and the taken by train to Capas and walked the last bit of the way to Camp O'Donnell.

First Sergeant Francis F. Beitler died 21 May 1942 in the Japanese POW Camp 4, O'donnell, Tarlac Province, Central Luzon, Philippines. He died roughly a month after arriving there.

Birth:
Source: https://www.HonorStates/org

Military Service:
NOTE: The Flora Memorial spells his last name as Bietler, all other records spell it as Beitler

Francis served as a First Sergeant, Headquarter's Squadron, 27th Bomber Group, Light, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He resided in Clay County, Illinois prior to the war.

He became a POW of the Japanese Army in the "Fall Of The Philippines" in May, 1942.

Francis "Died While A POW" of the Japanese Army at POW Camp 4, O'donnel, Tarlac, Luzon, Philippines 15-120 during the war.

He was awarded the Prisoner Of War Medal and the Purple Heart.

Service # 6655975

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He had enlisted in the Army Air Forces. Served during World War II. He had the rank of First Sergeant. Occupation or specialty was Pilot. Service number was 6655975. Served with 27th Bomber Group, Light, Headquarters Squadron.

Beitler experienced a traumatic event which resulted in loss of life on May 21, 1942. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "Died as Prisoner of War under Japanese control". Incident location: Philippines.

Some records indicate being held as a prisoner by Japan at a location known as POW Camp 4 O'Donnel Tarlac Luzon Philippines.

Francis F Beitler was also associated with Clay county, Illinois, USA.

Francis F Beitler is buried or memorialized at Plot A Row 2 Grave 174, Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.

Died as Prisoner of War under Japanese control

Source: https://www.HonorStates/org

Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=1899839

Died:
Francis "Died While A POW" of the Japanese Army at POW Camp 4, O'donnel, Tarlac, Luzon, Philippines 15-120 during the war.

Buried:
A Row 2 Grave 174