James Louis Harkcom was born on April 14, 1915, in Kopperl, Bosque County, Texas. He was the son of Charlie Finis Harkcom and Dessie Belle Daniel Harkcom. He was married to Rachel Mae Clepper. He served in the 31st Infantry Regiment as a Private during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Pvt Harkcom was one of 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.

Pvt Harkcom was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 26, 1942. He is now buried in the Kopperl Cemetery, Kopperl, Bosque County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com, Source of photo:www.honorstates.org