Purple Heart, “Andrew J. Fry”, 21st Pursuit Sq, Bataan Death March

Purple Heart, slot brooch, hand-engraved “Andrew J. Fry”. In a black leatherette case with a pair of screwback USAAF collar discs. With photocopied IPDF data.

Staff Sergeant Andrew J. Fry was assigned to the 21st Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, at NIchols Field in the Philippines. The unit was essentially wiped out as the airmen became infantrymen in defense of Bataan and Corregidor. Fry survived the Bataan Death March, but died of dysentery and inhumane conditions on 16 June 1942. He was buried in an unmarked grave at Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Philippines. His remains were finally identified in 1950 and shipped home to his family in Waterloo, Iowa, where he was re-interred.