Dudley George Strickler was born on August 22, 1902, in Henry County, Indiana. He was the son of Otis Crim Strickler and Strickler. He was married to Celeste Broach Strickler. He attended Middletown School, graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1920, and briefly studied at Purdue University before receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the Class of 1927. Commissioned into the Infantry, he served with the 29th Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia, then with the 15th Infantry in Tientsin, China, before later assignments at Fort Francis E. Warren, Wyoming, and Fort Riley, Kansas.

In 1939, Strickler was assigned to the 45th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) at Fort William McKinley near Manila. Promoted to Major in 1941, he took command of the 3rd Battalion, 45th Infantry, under General Jonathan Wainwright. His battalion fought with distinction during the defense of Bataan, including critical actions along the Abucay Line in January 1942.

On January 27, 1942, his battalion was ordered into the Battle of Quinauan Point, one of the fiercest engagements of the campaign. Strickler personally reconnoitered the front lines and moved among his troops under fire, encouraging and directing them during intense jungle combat. He was reported missing while at the front and was later confirmed killed in action on February 8, 1942. His body was recovered days later but not identified after the war, and he remains unaccounted for. His name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, weremember.abmc.gov