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On the fifteenth of December 1944, First Lieutenant <em>Hector John Polla</em> was killed when American forces sank a Japanese transport in Subic Bay, off Luzon, Philippine Islands, with 1,600 Americans aboard. Hector’s tragic death came as a deep shock to his family and many friends. One cannot picture one so alive as he, and with so many useful years ahead, struck down in the prime of life and when his career was just beginning.</p>
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Lieutenant Polla was born September 30th, 1916 in Lexington, Missouri, where he attended the Christian Church and the local high school. He moved with his family to Higginsville, Missouri, where he finished his last year in the Higginsville High School. After graduation he entered Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington, Missouri, graduating from Junior College in 1936.</p>
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A year later he received, from the Honorable W.L. Nelson, of Missouri, his appointment to West Point. After graduating from the Academy in June 1941, he had a short furlough.</p>
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It was his choice to go to the Philippines. He reported to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA., in late July for a basic course, prior to his going overseas.</p>
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On November 4, 1941 he sailed for the Philippines, reporting for duty at Fort William McKinley. Lieutenant Polla was assigned to the Philippine Scouts. During the heroic defense of Bataan he was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation accompanying the medal reads as follows:</p>
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“On February 9, 1942 during a coordinated attack in which his organization had reached the objective but was forced to partially abandon same due to loss of contact and failure of an adjacent unit to close up. Lieutenant Polla did, on his own initiative, personally move through the gap under heavy fire, contact and bring the adjacent unit up into position. This courageous act, in addition to saving the lives of many men, allowed his battalion to hold a position which could not have been held otherwise.”</p>
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After the fall of Bataan, Hector was a prisoner of the Japanese until his death. Survivors of the prison camp at Cabanatuan praise him for his leadership, fortitude and skill in many things.</p>
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One can only say, “Well done.” Like so many young Americans who have made the supreme sacrifice, Hector John Polla died in order that freedom might endure in the world.</p>
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He is survived by his father, mother, and sister.</p>
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<em>—His Sister</em></p>
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