Leonard H. Rackmil was born on December 5, 1909. He was the son of David J. Racer and Gertrude M. Hooten Racer. He served in the US Army as a First Lieutenant during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, 1Lt Rackmil 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.

1Lt Rackmil was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on June 22, 1942. He is now buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com