After spending 18 months in Shanghai, he was sent to the Philippine Islands in the early part of 1941 and was on Corregidor, Philippines when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. One week later the Japanese bombed the Philippines, and they were under attack periodically. On May 6, 1941, General Jonathan Wainwright, who had assumed command when General MacArthur left the Philippines, surrendered to the Japanese, and the Americans became prisoners of war.

Harry Dunlavy was sent from the Philippines to a camp in Mukden, Manchuria to work in a tool and die company. He was there for three winters until they were liberated by the Russian Army in August 1945.

He remained in the Marine Corps to see duty in Korea and Vietnam, retiring as a Sergeant Major in 1968 (see photo to the right).

Since returning to Fresno for the last time in 1984, he has been active in the Fresno Chapter of the Ex-POWs and is currently serving his ninth year as the chapter commander. He is a past master of the Masonic Lodge, an officer in the Fresno Scottish Rite Bodies, and Chaplain of the Tehran Temple Shriners. He also directs the men’s chorus of the Scottish Rite. Since his year as Master of the Masonic Lodge, he has officiated at 210 Masonic funerals. He currently resides in Fresno with his wife of 54 years, Betty and their daugher Margaret.

Harry was acquainted with Chuck Monges who invited by him to drop by the Legion of Valor Museum for a tour. As soon as he saw it, he was hooked and volunteered to be a docent. He has spent one day a week at the museum for the past 4 years. The picture here is recent. Look for him the next time you visit the Museum.

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