Albert Allen Vaccaro was born in July 1914. He was the son of James Sebastiano Vaccaro Sr. and Celeste Annecchiarico Vaccaro. He served in the 803rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation, as a Corporal during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Cpl Vacarro 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.

Cpl Vacarro was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 17, 1942. He is now buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Neptune Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com