James William Hendon, Jr. is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery

Clifford D. Hendon was born in Rusk County, Texas in 1903. He enlisted in the U S Army on 17 May 1939. Clifford achieved the rank of Sgt. and served in the 31st Infantry Regiment. He was serving in the Phillipines Islands when the Japanese attacked in Dec 1941 and continued the fight until the 31St surrendered 9 Apr 1942.

Sgt. Clifford Hendon was among the 66,000 Filipino and 10,000 American POWs who were forced to endure the infamous 66 mile 'Bataan Death March'. During the main march—which lasted 5 to 10 days, depending on where a prisoner joined it—the captives were beaten, shot, bayoneted, and, in many cases, beheaded; a large number of those who made it to the camp later died of starvation and disease. Only 54,000 prisoners reached the camps; though exact numbers are unknown, some 2,500 Filipinos and 500 Americans may have died during the march, and an additional 26,000 Filipinos and 1,500 Americans died at Camp O’Donnell.  Sgt. Hendon was held at POW Camp 4, O'Donnel Tarlac, Luzon, Philippines.

In Dec 1944, Clifford Hendon and hundreds of his fellow prisoners boarded onto the 'Oryoku Maru' for transport to Japan, where they were to become slave laborers. Many of these 'hell ships' were used by the Japanese for transport in the Pacific. One survivor said: "The prisoners had been so crowded in these holds that they couldn't even get air to breathe. They went crazy, cut and bit each other through the arms and legs and sucked their blood. In order to keep from being murdered, many had to climb the ladders and were promptly shot by guards. Between twenty and thirty prisoners had died of suffocation or were murdered during the night."

The 'Oryoku Maru' sailed on December 13th and came under attack from American planes on December 14th. As evening approached, the attack was called off. The next day the planes returned and continued the attack. When the pilots saw the large number of men climbing from the ship’s holds, they realized the ship was carrying POWs and called off the attack. After the POWs were off the ship (they evidently jumped overboard), the attack resumed and the ship was sunk by American planes at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, on December 15, 1944. Hendon was killed during the attack on the ship and his body was never recovered. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star; Purple Heart; Combat Infantryman Badge; American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal and Prisoner of War Medal.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Theodore 'Ted' Hendon was born 4 Aug 1918, Lawrence County, Arkansas. He enlisted in the U S Army on 10 February 1941 at Tacoma, Washington and received basic training at nearby Ft. Lewis, then assigned to Co. A, 194th Tank Battalion. The 194th was deployed to the Philippines during the fall of 1941 in support of its defense from a possible Japanese attack. The Initial Japanese landings on Luzon occurred between 9 and 10 December 1941. Along with other units, the 94th courageously fought for the next three months, but was forced to surrender on 9 Apr 1942. Few could imagine the horrors that awaited them during the torturous death march and eventual internment. Sgt. Ted Hendon survived just a few weeks, dying from diphtheria on 21 Jul 1942 at Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Province, Central Luzon, Philippines. His body was never recovered.

Sgt. Theodore W. Hendon's military records reveal: Engagements: Battle of Luzon, Battle of Bataan; Prisoner of War: 9 April 1942, - Death March - started march at Mariveles at southern tip of Bataan - POWs ran past Japanese artillery firing on Corregidor - San Fernando - POWs put into small wooden boxcars - boxcars could hold eight horses or forty men - 100 POWs put into each car - those who died remained standing - POWs leave boxcars at Capas - the dead fell out of cars - POWs walk lasted ten miles to Camp O'Donnell. POW Camps: Philippine Islands: Camp O'Donnell - unfinished Filipino training base - Japanese put camp into use as POW Camp - only one water spiget for entire camp - as many as 50 POWs died each day - Japanese opened new POW camp to lower death rate, Cabanatuan #1.


His Lineage: Richard Hendon > Joseph Hendon > Benjamin Hendon > Henry H. Hendon > Benjamin Ervin Hendon > Max Robert Hendon

Max Robert Hendon was born 3 Mar 1919, Sumner County, Kansas. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1941 and was assigned to the 145th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division (the Big Red One), 5th Army.

On 11 Nov 1943, Second Lieutenant Hendon's unit was in action against German forces at the Winter Line near Monte Cassino, Italy. For his extrodinary heroism and couragus actions during that engagement Hendon was awarded the U. S. Army's second highest award, the Distinguished Service Cross. Max Hendon fought valiantly in Algeria - French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, The Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and central Europe.


Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

Second Lieutenant Max R. Hendon, United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extrodinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 November 1943. Second Lieutenant Hendon's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3rd Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Fifth U. S. Army, General Orders No. 59 (1944)

Death and Burial: First Lieutenant Max R. Hendon died 15 January 1959 in Arizona. He is buried at Resthaven Park West Cemetery in Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5439249/max-robert-hendon