Photos submitted by Gina Martin Purple Heart Medal Bronze Star Medal POW Medal Wilber James Howard was born Dec 23, 1917 in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. to James Robert & Rose Belle Foster Howard. In 1910 the family was living in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co, Ar. In 1920 they were in Van Buren, Crawford Co., Ar and in 1930 back in Fort Smith. Wilber James Howard was living with his parents until sometime between 1935-1940 when he is found on the 1940 census record living at Fort Sill Military Reservation, Comanche, Oklahoma. Wilber J Howard was inducted into the Army from Arkansas with a rank of 2nd LT. He served in 51st Philippine Infantry Division, 53rd Infantry Regiment. During his service in World War II, Army 2nd Lieutenant Howard was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on September 7, 1944. He was serving in the Philippines when the Japanese Army invaded the islands in early 1942. He was held for some time at the POW Camp 2 at Davao, Mindanao. He was later among the 100s of prisoners lost when the transport ship Shinyo Maru was torpedoed and sunk. 2Lt Howard is memorialized at Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location. Jimmy Howard with friend Letha Misee. World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946 SERIAL NUMBER O-890247 NAME Howard Wilbur J GRADE Second Lieutenant SERVICE CODE Army ARM or SERVICE Infantry DATE REPORT May 7, 1942 STATE OF RESIDENCE undefined code AREA Southwest Pacific Theatre: Philippine Islands LATEST REPORT Sept 7, 1944 SOURCE OF REPORT Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS Executed, Died in Ship's Sinking or Result of Ship Sinking, Shot While Attempting Escape DETAINING POWER JAPAN CAMP PW Camp #2 - Davao Mindanao Philippines 7-125 POW TRANSPORT SHIPS SS=September Sinking: Shinyo Maru, 7 September 1944 World War II Prisoners of the Japanese File, 2007 Update, ca. 1941 - ca. 1945 NAME HOWARD WILBUR J RANK Second Lieutenant SERVICE NUMBER O&890247 ARM OR SERVICE Infantry SOURCE American Battle Monuments Commission - web site ASSIGNED UNIT 53rd Infantry Regiment (Philippine Army) PARENT Unit 51st Division (Philippine Army)