Walter V. Koch

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received under any of the following circumstances:
  Before April 25, 1962, while held as a prisoner of war in the same manner as a former prisoner of war who is wounded on or after that date while held as a prisoner of war.
Prisoner of War Medal Authorized for issue to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, was taken prisoner and held captive after April 5, 1917.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges. As a Private First Class it is also likely that he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
No  Grave Marker Photo
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Official Regiment or Division Report
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obituary, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records
Yes World War II Prisoners of the Japanese File
Yes World War II Prisoners of War Data File

WWII Draft Card Data
Walter V. Koch
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 26  -  Relationship to Draftee: Self
Birth Date: November 29, 1913  -  Birth Place: Ritzville, Washington
Residence Place: Ritzville, Adams County, Washington
Registration Date: October 16, 1940  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Adams County
Weight: 153  -  Complexion: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Gray   -  Hair Color: Black  -  Height: 6' 2"
Next of Kin: Anna E. Koch
Members of Household: Walter V. Koch, Self
Anna E. Koch, Mother

Note 1: The death location, "At Osaka Main Camp, Osaka Japan" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PFC Koch, this location was validated from:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment. In December 1941 his regiment was assigned to the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays.

B. His ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record also identifies his assigned unit as the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (AntiAircraft).

C. The National Archives "World War II Prisoners of War Data File" records that PFC Koch died as a Prisoner of War at Osaka Main Camp, Japan during December 1943.

D. There were no WWII Hospital Admission Records found for PFC Koch.

E. His status of "DNB" indicates that PFC Koch likely died as a result of a Non-Combat Accident or Illness.

F. Further information on the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (AntiAircraft) and the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays can be found at Wikipedia website 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (AntiAircraft).

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
  World War II Prisoners of the Japanese File, 2007 Update, ca. 1941 - ca. 1945 - See Note 2

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946 - See Note 2

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Note 2. Information is sourced from the public domain and may be copied and distributed without permission.