Arthur W. Cervenka was born on May 27, 1919, in Lewistown, Fergus County, Montana. He was the son of James Cervenka and Agnes Cervenka. He graduated from Windham High School in 1939 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 7, 1940. He served in the 20th Pursuit Squadron as a Private during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Pvt Cervenka 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 Cervenka was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 12, 1942. He is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com