George Robert Eyre was the son of Mr. & Mrs. George Eyre of Marion, Ohio. George R. Eyre graduated from Harding High School in 1933. After graduating high school he spent two years at Hiram college, in Hiram, Ohio. He went on the attend Salt Lake University, Salt Lake City, Utah. He was enrolled in the civil engineering program. He was a senior when he enlisted in the Army Engineer Corps.
On January 7th, he was reported as injured. Pfc. George R. Eyre was taken prisoner by the Japanese Imperial Army, when Lt. General Wainwright surrendered his forces in the Philippines, on the island of Corregidor.
During Pfc. Eyre’s captivity he was imprisoned in Camp 10, near Manilla. He was later forced to help build an airfield while a prisoner of war.
On 14 December 1944, the Japanese guards were ordered to kill all prisoners. The 150 prisoners were forced into underground air raid shelters. There were three larger shelters that held between 25 and 50 prisoners. The guards then poured gasoline into the shelters and set the men afire. Although most of the men died in the initial explosion some tried to escape, only to be shot or bayoneted as they emerged. Eleven men were able to escape and tell their story. Many brave Philippine islanders helped to hide and nurse these survivors back to health and get them to American forces. This came to be known as the Palawan Massacre.
Pfc. George R. Eyre died 14 December 1944, during the Palawan Massacre. The dead were left where they died, until American forces returned to the Philippines in early 1945. On 14 February 1952, the remains of 123 victims of the Palawan Massacre were returned to the United States. Remains of the victims were then re-interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
Pfc. George R. Eyre is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri.
Pfc. George R. Eyre is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the World War Two Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery; and on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse.
More can be read about this massacre in the book: Last Man Out: Glenn McDole, USMC, Survivor of the Palawan Massacre in World War II by Bob Wilbanks. George R. Eyre’s name appears on page 162 of this book. His name was among the names of the 123 victims that were identified and read aloud when a new plaque was dedicated on 4 October 2003.
Howard Spires was born 13 Dec 1894, Meigs County, Ohio. He enlisted into D Company prior to leaving for France. He was killed by shrapnel.
Capt. Ferguson was the Operations Officer for the 391st Fighter Squadron while in England. He often spent time as the Acting Squadron Commander and considered “the backbone of the command” by at least one squadron member and was described as “a real leader of men and expected things be done in the ‘Army way.’ ” Capt. Ferguson participated in over 15 missions of France and Germany. On 5 April 1944, Capt. Ferguson died in a mid-air collision while trying to land after a mission had been called off due to dense fog on the airfield.
From March 2006 until September 2006, Sergeant Workman served as a Drill Instructor with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.
In August 2008, Staff Sergeant Workman reported for duty at Wounded Warrior Regiment, Quantico, Virginia and was medically retired from the Marine Corps on 30 January 2010.
Navy Cross
Butcher was a graduate of Harding High School with the Class of 1969. Butcher had hopes to attend a conservation school after his military enlistment was completed. Dave was very proud of his father’s, James Clark’s, military service and felt a need for himself to serve his country. Dave would enlisted in the United States Army in July of 1969. He and a friend from the neighborhood, Al Burrough enlisted together.
Dave’s sister, Diana, shared her reflections on the life Dave and other young soldiers missed out on. She said they had died before getting a chance to live their lives and she often wonders what Dave would have done with his life had he lived. She knows he would have done great things and created wonderful memories with his family.
Dave’s mother would keep a display in remembrance of Dave’s military service until her death. It is now on display at his sister’s home. The family still remember Dave and those that he touched in his short life. His brother; Rick, and sisters; Diana and Jayne would grow up missing, but not forgetting the good memories they have of Dave.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 