Post by wwalker on Sept 13, 2012 10:31:05 GMT 8
I just learned of the passing of another Corregidor veteran and good friend of mine, Byron R. Kearbey of Florida. He was a member of this forum, and made a few posts about his wartime experiences. Mr. Kearbey served with Battery H (Geary) 59th Coast Artillery on "The Rock" to the bitter end. He was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions on April 24, 1942 whenever Battery Crockett was hit hard with artillery fire causing a fire in the battery. He and some of his comrades from nearby Battery Geary ran toward Crockett after communications were lost there. Upon arriving at the battery he was able to fit his skinny 17 year old frame through a small door opening, the door having been barred from a large fallen oil drum full of dirt. Once inside he found mattresses blazing, and crawled to some of the injured and pulled them toward the door for air. While he was helping rescue these men, Battery Crockett was in danger of exploding if the fire reached the magazine. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Kearbey and his comrades, it did not. There is no doubt he saved many lives, as the compartments were filled with smoke, and many of the injured were unconcious.
Mr. Kearbey was a POW of the Japanese for 3 and a half years, and was held at Cabanatuan, Tarlac, and finally Niigata 5B, where he was liberated. He was transported to Japan on the Taga Maru. While a POW he suffered from malaria and beri-beri. Although he endured terrible hardships while POW, he was not bitter about what happened to him.
His obituary can be found at the following link:
www.robertsofdunnellon.com/obits/obituary.php?id=201631
My condolences go out to his family.
WW
Mr. Kearbey was a POW of the Japanese for 3 and a half years, and was held at Cabanatuan, Tarlac, and finally Niigata 5B, where he was liberated. He was transported to Japan on the Taga Maru. While a POW he suffered from malaria and beri-beri. Although he endured terrible hardships while POW, he was not bitter about what happened to him.
His obituary can be found at the following link:
www.robertsofdunnellon.com/obits/obituary.php?id=201631
My condolences go out to his family.
WW