Cornell Dillon was born in 1919 in Ozone, TN in Cumberland Mountains. He was the son of James Varner Dillon and Bertie Mae Scott. After both parents died, Cornell and his siblings were put in a number of industrial schools. Cornell was placed into the Tennessee Industrial School in Nashville.
His oldest brother died in one of these industrial schools at the age of twelve. His younger brother, Fred, joined the Marines, in 1940, at sixteen.
Living in Roane County, Tennessee when he was inducted into the U. S. Army – 1941
Training Fort Knox, Kentucky, Camp Polk, Louisiana. Upon arrival at Camp Polk, Cornell was assigned to the 753rd Tank Battalion. 753rd did not take part in maneuvers that were taking place.
He died on 27 May 1942 in POW Camp #4 – O’Donnel Tarlac Luzon Philippines 15-120 of dysentery
Served in 192nd Tank Battalion, C Company
Units
October 1941 – volunteered to join the 192nd Tank Battalion
Replaced a National Guardsman released from federal service. 192nd Tank Battalion, assigned to C Company
Overseas Duty Philippine Islands
Fort Stostenburg
192nd lived in tents since their barracks were unfinished. Tank crew members spent most of their time loading ammunition belts and de-cosmolining their tank guns
Engagements
Clark Airfield
8 December 1941 – seven hours after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Tank companies ordered to perimeter of airfield to guard against Japanese paratroopers.
At 1245 in the afternoon Clark Field was bombed by Japanese planes. Attack took place ten hours after Pearl Harbor.
Battle of Luzon
Battle of Bataan
Prisoner of War
9 April 1942
Death March, started march at Mariveles at southern tip of Bataan
Most POWs sick with dysentery and malaria. Many believed they trudged their way out of Bataan.
Prisoners of War are not allowed water, not fed or given breaks. POWs who fell during march were often shot or bayoneted.
San Fernando – POWs packed into small wooden boxcars used to haul sugarcane.
Capas – POWs left boxcars -the bodies of the dead fall out as they did
POWs walked the last ten miles to Camp O’Donnell
Buried – Ft Bonifacio, Permanent Cemetery, Manila, Philippines, A 13 119
- Rank: Private
- Date of death: 27 May 1942
- County: Roane
- Hometown: Harriman
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 192nd Tank Battalion
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Luzon, Bataan
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Cornell Dillon
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