Lorne Wesley Watkins was born on June 11, 1915. He was the son of Guy Calvin Watkins and Annie Beatrice Van Buskirk Watkins. He served in the US Army as a Private during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Pvt Watkins 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 Watkins was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 13, 1942. He is now buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com