Earl Kenneth Akers was born on May 22, 1920, in Eastport, Washington County, Maine. He was the son of Chester Adam Akers and Marion B. Peacock Akers Lord. He was the husband of Lucita Flores. He worked in skilled occupations in manufacturing electrical machinery and accessories before enlisting in the service on August 1, 1939. He served in the Headquarters Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, as a Private First Class during World War II. Akers served as an aircraft mechanic and was forced to become an infantrymen during the defense of Bataan.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, PFC Akers 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.

PFC Akers was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 7, 1942. He is now buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Source of information: www.livescience.com, www.findagrave.com