Arnold Lawrence Bates

His grave marker is a military one, indicating service as a Private First Class in the 27th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division during World War II. The 27th Infantry Regiment served in the Pacific, fighting the Japanese, and is credited from 1941 to 1945 in 4 campaigns, so it is difficult to say which campaigns Arnold participated in.

Military records indicate that he was killed in action as an Infantryman near the town of Lumbry, on Luzon Island, Philippines, on 26 February 1945. His Army serial number was 39918441, and originally he was buried in the Philippines. His body was returned at the request of his parents in 1949, and was buried in the local cemetery.

As a minimum, Arnold would have received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

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From the Deseret News, Tooele County, Utah, dated March 26, 1949:

Memorial Set for Luzon Hero

Ibapah, Tooele County – Funeral services for Pfc. Arnold Bates, killed in action Feb. 26, 1945, during the battle of Luzon, P.I., will be conducted Monday at 1 pm in the Ibapah school house. Private Bates was born Sept. 21, 1925 in Ibapah, a son of Harlo and Mabel Bates. He is survived by his mother and six brothers and sisters; Mrs. Daisy Symonds, Tod Park; Betty, Ruth, Louise, Eva Mae and Leonard Bates, Ibapah. Burial will be in Ibapah Cemetery with military honors to be accorded by members of the American Legion. Services scheduled earlier had been postponed because of storm-blocked roads in this area.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 9 2016, 19:39:39 UTC