Robert Banning Bertsch was born on September 8, 1918, in Illinois. He was the son of Marcus Bertsch and Ellen B. "Nellie" Bertsch. He served in the 27th Materiel Squadron as a Second Lieutenant during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, 2Lt Bertsch was one pf the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

2Lt Bertsch was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 24, 1942. He is now buried in the Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois, USA.

Source of information:www.livescience.com