Glenn A Harris

Pfc Glenn Allen Harris, 26, born February 16, 1916 to M. Ray and Myrtle Harris of the Bryson-Hesperia community, Monterey County, California passed from this life on July 26, 1942 while interred at Cabanatuan POW camp, Philippines.

Glenn grew up on the ranch, enjoying family, fixing cars and riding his Indian motorcycle. He graduated from King City High School in 1935 and subsequently attended Anderson Diesel School in Los Angeles and worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company in King City, Ca.

Glenn enlisted in the Army Air Corp on October 11, 1940 and was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines when Japan attacked it hours after Pearl Harbor. His unit retreated to the Bataan Peninsula but they and many thousands of others were captured by the Japanese and subjected to the 'Bataan Death March' which he survived but succumbed to probable malaria about 3 months later. He was interred in a common grave with many other POWs.

After the war, the Army disinterred the common graves and attempted identification of individuals. Given the science available at the time, ID was impossible to obtain for most and they were reinterred at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.

Given the Army's 'leave no one behind' philosophy and the great advancement of science in recent years, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has recently been able to identify Glenn's remains and are returning them to the family for closure.

At the time of his death, in addition to his parents, Glenn left behind four brothers, Clifford, Forrest, Wayne and Dale as well as one sister Dorothy (Harris) Bilyeu and several nephews.

He seemed to have always been a favorite brother and a best friend to everyone.

Glenn's sacrifice will be honored at Keuhl-Nicolay Funeral Home in Paso Robles, Ca. on September 30, 2023 with full military honors beginning with a private family gathering at 9:00AM followed by a public ceremony and procession to Pleyto Cemetery for burial on the shores of Lake San Antonio. A private luncheon for family and invited guests only will follow at Hesperia Hall.