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| Pvt. Wesley Jordan was captured on Corregidor Island with these men from the 59th Coast Artillery Regiment. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27085487/wesley-e.-jordan http://worldwar2database.com/gallery/wwii1441 |
Readership of WW2 Fallen 100 just past 600,000. Thanks to those who read and share these stories.
Wesley E. Jordan never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on March 12, 1918 in Texas. His parents Albert and Willie were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a railroad express manager and later a railroad baggage manager. Wesley had one older brother (WW2 vet), two older sisters and one younger sister. By 1940 Wesley had completed three years of high school. He worked as an attendant and lived with his parents.
He enlisted in the army on September 7, 1940. He was a private in Battery E, 2nd Battalion, 59th Coast Artillery Regiment. Pvt. Jordan's unit was in the Philippines when WW2 began. It was assigned to defend Corregidor Island. The Japanese attacked the island on May 5, 1942. There was no hope of victory for the Americans so they surrendered on May 8 to prevent unnecessary loss of life.
Pvt. Jordan was sent to PW Camp #3 (Old Bilbid Prison) where the Japanese housed nearly 500 prisoners of war. Pvt. Jordan and three others managed to escape, but were recaptured. The Japanese tortured the four POWs and then made them each dig a grave. In the presence of the other prisoners, Pvt Jordan and the three other failed escapees were made to stand in the graves where they were shot and buried on May 31, 1942.
His grave is at Parkdale Cemetery, Arlington, Texas.
Last year on this date I profiled B-24 tail gunner Joseph Skapik. You can read about Joseph here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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