Adolphus Vance Bryan was born on June 24, 1920, in North Carolina. He was the son of Jesse Polk Bryan and Sallie Blanche Deaver Bryan. He served in the 454th Ordnance Company, Aviation, as a Private during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Pvt Bryan 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 Bryan was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 10, 1942. He is now buried in the Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com