Show Fo farmer ritter prisoner to elective Elec medal ray 11 church former private first class in the U S marine corp has been recommended to receive the navy and marine corps medal for heroic service displayed while imprisoned at umeda bensho prison barracks osaka japan according to L col john A burns of the H s citation reads for heroism displayed while in a japanese on barracks with a group of american sailors and marines osaka japan during the period may 15 1943 to 15 january 1944 during this period private first class ray 11 church U S marine corps helped organize and act in several skits and plays and took an ac live tive part in many impromptu en due to the labor he i as forced to do for the japanese the lack of food and adequate clothing and the attitude of the japanese all the work necessary in the preparation and giving of these entertainments was done at considerable danger to his health healt and well being private first class church never hesitated but so well did his part that the morale and operative cooperative spirit of the barracks was brought from an extremely low point to a high level he ile help helps ed in saving many men from severe mental suffering his ills actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U S naval ser vice |