By Krista Finstad Hanson

For the Times

The 192nd Tank Battalion was a National Guard Unit formed in Janesville, Wisconsin. During World War II, they became Company A, part of the 32nd Division of the U.S. Army that was sent to the Philippine Islands in November of 1941. They fought on the Bataan Peninsula until U.S. commanding officers surrendered on April 9, 1942. They became prisoners of war and were subjected to the Bataan Death March. Of the original 99 members of the 192nd Tank Battalion, only 35 survived imprisonment by the Japanese.

Benton soldier, Joseph F. McCrea, served with the Company A of the 192nd Tank Battalion.

Joseph F. McCrea was born on March 2, 1920 in Benton in Lafayette County, Wisconsin to John Raymond and Mary Flora (Peacock) McCrea. His mother died on March 9, 1920 leaving behind four children including the newborn, Joseph.

From the 1930 U.S. Census, the McCrea family lived in Benton Township, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. They rented their home. The household included father Raymond and children Helen, Harold, Florence, and Joseph. Father Raymond was a farmer.

Father John Raymond died on July 8, 1938 in Benton. Family information states that Joseph went to live with his sister, Helen, in Janesville. (However, he cannot be found on the 1940 U.S. census by this researcher.)

On Nov. 25, 1940, Joseph F. McCrea enlisted for service in the National Guard in Janesville. He was single without dependents. He had four years of high school. His occupation was farm hand on general farms.

From the April 22, 1942 The Capital Times article “110 Janesville Men Are Prisoners of Japs, Is View of War Dept; Hearts Heavy in City As Official Word Is Received,” the article stated, “Approximately 110 war heroes of Janesville and surrounding area are prisoners of the Japanese on Bataan peninsula, but in this southern Wisconsin city there are many more heroes — the mothers and wives of those fighting men…” Included in the list of Private First Class soldiers was Joseph McCrea.

From the June 23, 1943 Sheboygan Press article titled “Members of Tank Unit Die as Prisoners,” the news from Janesville was “Two more members of the 192nd (Janesville) tank battalion of the United States army have died in Japanese prison camps, next of kin were informed by the war department Tuesday.

“The battalion was in the thick of fighting on the Bataan peninsula and surrendered to the Japanese when the last Philippine stronghold fell.

“The latest dead — Sgt. Ronald J. King, 23, and Pfc. Joseph F. McCrea, 23 — brought to eight the total of men from this area who met death as a result of the Philippine fighting. …”

Joseph F. McCrea died of malaria while a prisoner of war in the Philippines run by the Japanese on Sept. 15, 1942.

From the Oct. 6, 1949 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Bodies of Five State Veterans Back from Pacific,” the article stated “The bodies of five Wisconsin servicemen who lost their lives during World War II are among the 168 that have been returned to the United States from the Pacific and Far East areas, the army announced Wednesday.

“Armed forces dead originally buried in military cemeteries in Iwo Jima, Japan, the Philippine Islands and Hawaii are among those returned for final burial at the request of next of kin.”

Included in this list was Pfc. Joseph F. McCrea, Janesville.

From the Nov. 19, 1949 Janesville Daily Gazette funeral notice for Pfc. Joseph McCrea, the notice stated “Reburial services were held Tuesday in St. Patrick’s church, Benton, Wis… for Pfc. Joseph F. McCrea, former member of Co. A, 192nd Tank battalion.

“Pfc. McCrea died of malaria in Cabanatuan prison camp Sept. 15, 1942, while being held a prisoner of Japanese.

“Survivors are two sisters, Mrs. Percy Yates and Miss Florence McCrea, both of Janesville; and a brother, Harold McCrea, Benton…The V.F.W. conducted services at the grave.”

Private First Class Joseph F. McCrea was a Gold Star soldier from Rock County, Wisconsin. His death status was DNB — Died Non-battle. He received the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, awarded posthumously.

PFC McCrea has two memorials on FindAGrave. One is for Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Benton. The other is for the Cabanatuan Memorial in Manila, Philippines.

PFC McCrea is also listed on the Benton, Wisconsin memorial. An additional memorial and honor is that the Benton VFW Post 7896 is named for Joseph F. McCrae.

Thank you, Private First Class Joseph F. McCrea, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.