2LT Orman L. Fitzhugh 12-15-1944
US ARMY AIR CORPS WWII
Division US Army Air Corp | KIA: 12/15/1944 Subic Bay, Philippine Islands | Tolar Cemetery
2nd Lieutenant Orman L. Fitzhugh was born in Tolar, TX. He attended Tolar schools and was apart of the Tolar community. Fitzhugh was serving in the United States Army Air Corps at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands at the time of Japan’s treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor.
Fitzhugh fought valiantly at Corregidor and was made prisoner of war when it fell. He endured the terrible death march, suffered inhuman cruelties in a Japanese prison camp and was killed in a tragic event on December 15th, 1944.
On December 14th, 1944 Fitzhugh was boarded onto the “Oryoku Maru” for transport to Japan. The ship came under attack from American planes. As evening approached, the attack was called off. The next day the planes returned and continued the attack. The ship was sunk by American planes at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. Fitzhugh was killed during the attack on the ship. Back home in Tolar, Texas on April 21, 1949, The Elmer Joiner Post No. 278, American Legion, changed the name to the Joiner-Fitzhugh Post No. 278, American Legion in honor of his sacrifice.
