1^st Lt. Arthur A. Amron 0-396697

1^st Lt. Arthur A. Amron O-396697 United States Army Air Corps Killed in Action. He was born on September 6, 1917, in New York. He was the son of Samuel Amron and Rose Kosoff Amron.  He served in the Philippines and fought for the defense of Bataan. He served in the 48th Materiel Squadron, 27th bombardment group.

The 48th Materiel Squadron was organized into three platoons. The Third Platoon was commanded by 1^st Lt. A. A. Amron. These three platoons would operate in shifts–one day on the MLR, the next day on the OPLR and then back to the command post area to be held in reserve. Due to previous details, the Squadron’s strength was probably down to around 130 men.

Around 27 January, 1942 the Battle of Kapot on Trail 21 was raging. The 9th and 141^st Japanese Infantry Regiments were attacking the Philippine units of Sector C. Some Japanese elements of this attack were encountering the 48th Materiel. As firing subsided, Regimental Headquarters sent out a patrol towards Sub-Sector c. On it’s way there it passed through the village of Catassen which was in the 48th’s area. The patrol encountered Japanese infiltrators and managed to kill a few who were hiding under some nipa huts. Lt. Amron and two squads went to investigate this firing but arrived after the skirmish had ended. These Japanese were stragglers who had slipped through the lines.

THE AMRON PATROL

On 26 February, 1942 Regimental Headquarters sent orders for Lt. Arthur A. Amron of the 48th to lead a 20 man patrol consisting of men from all squadrons. Their objective was to scout the area around the church at the town of Balanga which was used as an artillery observation post. Equipped with ’03 Springfield rifles, most without slings, and unreliable grenades, the patrol left under the cover of darkness. After traveling 6 Km beyond the OPLR the patrol arrived at Barrio Cupong. Barrio Cupong had already been destroyed but Lt. Amron checked the area to insure a safe route of withdrawal if needed. Balanga church was in sight and Japanese equipment could be seen on the steps outside. Leaving the patrol as a covering force, Lt. Amron and Staff  Sgt. Marshall entered the building. Once in the church on the first floor they killed two Japanese soldiers with rifle fire. Immediately, hostile relief fire could be heard outside. On the way out Lt. Amron decided to search one of the cloakrooms. As he kicked in the door he was met with machine gun fire. Critically wounded he staggered and fell and was dragged outside the church and propped up against the wall. Sgt. Marshall returned inside and threw grenades into the room killing the enemy within. Other men of the patrol came running up to help Lt. Amron to safety. Thinking of the situation and the safety of the men, he cried out, “Damn it! Get the men the hell out of here. I can’t make it”. Lt. Amron died at the age of 24 while he was being carried and due to the heavy action his body had to be left behind. His body was abandoned and never recovered. Due to increased Japanese resistance, the patrol had no choice but to withdraw back to the OPLR. Great courage and sacrifice was shown here by all the men. After the war, on April 17th, 1948, Lt. Arthur A. Amron was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Lt. Amron came from a wealthy family of Rockaway, New York. It has also been said that he had half interest in the Jack Dempsey Cafe. After the death of Lt. Amron the 3rd Platoon was then commanded by the Mess Officer, Lt. Milton B. Geissmann.

1^st Lt. Arthur A. Amron was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the American Defense Medal, the World War Two Victory Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal.