Bennie Ayscue

Private First Class Bennie Ayscue died of myocarditis on June 30, 1945 on Luzon Island during the campaign to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese during World War II.  He was 38 years old.

Bennie Ayscue was born on November 15, 1906 in Vance County, North Carolina, the son of James Ollie Ayscue and Magnolia Huff Ayscue. He was engaged in farming prior to his induction into the U.S. Army in March 1941.

PFC Ayscue was deployed to the Pacific Theater of War on December 30, 1942 serving in the 139th Field Artillery Battalion, 38th Infantry Division.  The 139th fought in the New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon campaigns.  The Battalion participated in the surprise landing on the west coast of Luzon on January 9, 1945 and in the fierce battle for Zig Zag Pass through tunnel-ridden mountain terrain, facing fanatical Japanese resistance from late January into early February, 1945.   Afterwards, the 38th Infantry Division took part in the operations on Luzon to clear the Bataan peninsula, and to secure Corregidor and Manila Bay.  The Luzon campaign was declared ended on June 30, 1945, the day that PFC Ayscue died of myocarditis on Luzon.

Private First Class Bennie Ayscue is buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines.

Last edited: 28 April 2026