Joe S. McElwee was born on November 27, 1923. He was the son of Herman McElwee Sr. and Lora Estelle Smith McElwee. He served in the 19th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group, Light, as a Sergeant during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Sgt McElwee 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 McElwee was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 23, 1942. He is now buried in the Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Little Rock, Newton County, Mississippi, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com