Curtis Brantley Cannon was born on July 4, 1912, in Thomas County, Georgia. He was the son of David Charles Cannon and Ella L. Jordan Cannon. He served in the 31st Infantry Regiment as a Sergeant during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Sgt Cannon 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.

Sgt Cannon was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 27, 1942. He is now buried in the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, Pavo, Thomas County, Georgia, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com