Howard Charles Klein was born on November 5, 1919, in Illinois. He was the son of Adolph William Klein and Laura B. Gillis Klein. He served in the 20th Pursuit Squadron as a Staff Sergeant during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, SSgt Klein 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.

SSgt Klein was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 30, 1942. He is now buried in the Eden Memorial Park, Schiller Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com