Sgt Robert Dukatnik,24th Pursuit Group

[cdukatnik]

My 2nd cousin was with the 21st Pursuit Sq.of 24th Pursuit Group,when he was taken prisoner along with thousands of other troops,Robert had been attached to the Provisonal Regiment of the 71st Provisonal Division,where he fought as part of the defence of Bataan before being surrendered by Gen.King.
Robert's immediate commander was Ist Lt.Edwin Dyess,and after being imprisoned at Camp O'Donnell and Cabanatuan,he died there on Oct 16th 1942.

We have been trying to find a good written history of 24th Pursuit Group and hopefully some pictures of the men who were with him.Sadly,most of his Air Corps comrades have by now passed away.
My wife has read just about all the books she can get hold of about the Death March,and it seems that most people she talks to don't know the horrors the American and Philippino soldiers suffered during this time before so many of them died,this period in time is comparable to the genocide inflicted by the Nazi regime on Europe.

The men who died,and the survivors are true American Heroes,and should be included in the remembrance of D-Day each year.I served my country proudly in the U.S AIR FORCE and the U.S ARMY,and plan on sometime soon visiting Robert's burial plot in the Manila American Cemetery,it's the least I can do to pay tribute to him.

Sgt.Robert Dukatnik was 22 years old at the time of his death.

[Txczech]

Robert Dukatnik was my father's youngest brother. I have pictures of him of course. Also I am in the process of placing a marker at the cemetery in Seaton which I will place on his mother's grave, as he was buried in Manilla. He was her "baby boy" and I have always felt there should be a marker there.

[Txczech]

Sorry, I got so excited at seeing Robert's name I forgot to tell you who I am. I am Ellen Dukatnik VanWinkle. Father was John. Also, according to articles I saw when I was a child, Robert supposedly was rescued and died in the hospital. I remember also the articles where they said he was dead and then was found. I am going to Temple in the next several months and hope to find those articles in the paper there or have someone research for me.