WHEREAS, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the United States declared war on Japan, Oklahoma native and Muscogee (Creek) tribal member, Phillip W. Coon, served in the United States Army and valiantly fought in the Pacific Theater; and

WHEREAS, in April of 1942, following the Battle of Mount Samat, Corporal Coon was captured by Japan's Imperial Army, attempting to escape to safety; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Coon was forced to march on what would become known as the Bataan Death March for sixty-two (62) miles in scorching tropical heat while starving and being brutalized along the way to become a prisoner of war where he worked the burial detail before being transferred to Moji, Japan, to work as a prisoner of war in a copper mine for three (3) years; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Coon was liberated as a prisoner of war in September of 1945; and

WHEREAS, for his brave and unwavering service to his country, Corporal Coon received the American Defense Service Ribbon with one Bronze Star, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Philippine Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Star, a Distinguished Unit Badge with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the prized “Combat Infantry Badge”, given only to soldiers who battled in the front lines; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Coon has been honored by the State of Oklahoma for his service to his country by receiving the Prisoner of War Medal, and participated in the Japanese and American Prisoner of War Friendship Program; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Coon changed the lives of people by setting an example of sacrifice and patriotism by being a member of the “Greatest Generation” and expressing absolute pride in his Creek heritage; and

WHEREAS, on June 23, 2014, Corporal Coon passed away as a loving family man and a devoted community member; and

WHEREAS, April 9, 2022, marks the eightieth anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 58TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives hereby extends special gratitude and honor to Corporal Phillip W. Coon and the men of the United States Army who valiantly fought for our country and endured years of forced labor as Prisoners of War after the excruciating sixty-two (62) mile Bataan Death March on the eightieth anniversary of the event that took the lives of hundreds of Americans.