Glenn Eugene Widener was born in October 1916, in Custer City, Custer County, Oklahoma. He was the son of Charles R. Widener and Matilda M. James Widener. He served in the 192nd Tank Battalion as a Private during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Pvt Widener 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 Widener was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on June 18, 1942. He is now buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines. He also has a cenotaph in the Prairie Bell Cemetery, Putnam, Dewey County, Oklahoma, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com