American Ex-Prisoners of War · 2017-04-30 · 408 Fair Park Avenue West Union, OH 45693 (937)...

EX-POW BULLETINthe official voice of the

American Ex-Prisoners of War Volume 66 Number 9/10www.axpow.org

September/October 2009

We exist to help those who cannot help themselves

..Conditions inKorea..

Outreach,Success...stories

and more

TravelingExhibit

update...legislation...Grave Marker

installation...News

North Carolina Convention

Members of the Latest Generation were honored by the members of the Greatest

Generation at the summer meeting of the Bill Rolen Memorial Chapter of NorthernVirginia on June 20. They were Steve and Lisa

Shade, 16 and 13 respectively, each awarded

a mint proof AXPOW Silver Dollar coin, struckby the US Mint in 1994, for their interest andparticipation in chapter meetings. The

summer meeting was opened with the

Invocation by Steve, followed by his sister wholed the chapter in the Pledge of Allegiance.They are the children of Carl and Sharon

Shade of Oakton, VA, long-time loyal friendsand benefactors of the Chapter. Shown: Steve

and Lisa, top. George Juskalian, Cmdr. andFrank Brandon, V. Cmdr.

EX-POW Bulletin (ISSN 0161-7451) is published bi-monthly (six times annually) by the American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway,Arlington, TX 76010. Periodical postage paid at Arlington, TX and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to EX-POW Bulletin,AXPOW Headquarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy. Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010-5396. Founded April 14, 1942, in Albuquerque, NM, then known as BataanRelief Organization, Washington State nonprofit corporation, “American Ex-Prisoners of War”, October 11, 1949, recorded as Document No. 133762,Roll 1, 86-392. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. Nationally Chartered August 10, 1982. Appearance in this publication does not constitute endorsementby the American Ex-Prisoners of War of the product or service advertised. The publisher reserves the right to decline or discontinue any such advertisement.

© 2009 American Ex-Prisoners of War

PublisherPNC Maurice Sharp

9716 54th Street CT WestUniversity Place, WA 98467-1118

(253) [email protected]

EditorCheryl Cerbone

23 Cove View DriveSouth Yarmouth, MA 02664

(508) 394-5250(508) 760-2008 fax

[email protected]

Deadline for the Nov/Dec 2009issue is October 1, 2009.

Please send all materials to theeditor at the above address.

officers/directors 4commander/HQ 5on capitol hill 6outreach/success 7nso 8medsearch 9andersonville 15namPOW 16pow-mia 17civilian 18events, info, looking for 19GAR Memorial 20Stories 21The Traveling Exhibit 25news 26members forum 30contributions 32taps 33voluntary funding 37raffle/Ads 39new members 41quartermaster 42

September/October, 2009table of contents

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

3

September 18, 2009 is likely to be proclaimed by President Barack Obamaas National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Over the past several years, all ormost of the 50 states have proclaimed POW/MIA Recognition Day in con-junction with the national effort.

Across the country, local POW/MIA ceremonies are encouraged through-out POW/MIA Recognition Week, culminating with countless events andthe national ceremony in Washington, DC. Support for these missing Ameri-cans and their families is deeply felt. America’s POW/MIAs should be hon-ored and recognized, rather than memorialized, with the focus on the needto account as fully as possible for those still missing, alive or dead. Strong,united support by the American people is crucial to achieving concreteanswers.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States ofAmerica. The lyrics come from “Defence of Fort McHenry”, written Sept.14, 1814 by the 35-year-old amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witness-ing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by Royal Navy ships in ChesapeakeBay during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.

The poem was set to the tune of a popular British drinking song, written byJohn Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a men’s social club inLondon. “The Anacreontic Song” (or “To Anacreon in Heaven”), set to vari-ous lyrics, was already popular in the United States. Set to Key’s poem andrenamed “The Star-Spangled Banner”, it would soon become a well-knownAmerican patriotic song. With a range of one and a half octaves, it is knownfor being difficult to sing. Although the song has four stanzas, only thefirst is commonly sung today, with the fourth (“O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand...”) added on more formal occasions.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was recognized for official use by the Navy in1889 and the President in 1916, and was made the national anthem by acongressional resolution on March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1508, codified at 36

U.S.C. § 301), which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.

Judy Lee, Candidate for National Director,South Central RegionJudy has been an active member of AXPOW, the Department ofTennessee and her chapter for decades. Members still remem-ber the excellent National Convention put on in Knoxville in1993; Judy and her late husband Charles were an importantpart of its success. After serving on National Committees -- mostrecently as Chairman of Credentials -- Judy was elected as Na-tional Director in 2007. She currently sits on the Strategic Plan-ning Committee, working to ensure the future of the American

Ex-Prisoners of War.

axpow officers & directors 2008-2009National Headquarters - Clydie J. Morgan, Adjutant

3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy, #40, Arlington, TX 76010(817) 649-2979 (817) 649-0109 fax [email protected]

North East RegionFranklin R. Koehler243 Torrey Pines Dr.Toms River, NJ 08757(732) 244-4629; (732) 505-8702 [email protected]

Laura McIntyrePO Box 475Hardwick, MA 01037(413) 477-8260 (413) 477-0172 [email protected]

East Central RegionJudy LeePO Box 248Madisonville, TN 37354(423) 442-3223; (423) 442-4702 [email protected]

Paul E. Galanti21 Maxwell RoadRichmond, VA 23226(804)[email protected]

Southeast RegionWm “Bill” Jeffers3522 Millbrook way CrGreenacres, FL 33463(561) [email protected]

Sid Hecker7730 Laie PlaceDiamondhead, MS 39525(228) [email protected]

North Central RegionCarroll Bogard726 N. Carolina PlaceMason City, IA 50401(641) 424-4870

Larry Dwyer814 Woodlawn Ave.Muscatine, IA 52761(563) 263-5249

Senior Director, PNC Warren King, Jr.PNC Warren G King Sr1015 Mitchell RdNashville TN 37206-1113(615) 226-7811 – Voice(615) 262-3049 – Fax

National CommanderJim Clark214 OakdaleBastrop, LA 71220-2330(318) 281-5505 phone & [email protected]

National Senior Vice CommanderKenny H Hanson9401 Lyndale Ave S #228Bloomington MN 55420(952) 888-2703 – [email protected]

National TreasurerSonnie Bill Mottern279 Huckleberry RoadBluff City, Tenn. 37618(423) 542-1824; (423) 542-3469 [email protected]

National Judge AdvocateDave Drummond1 Crane CourtManalapan, NJ 07726(732) [email protected]

National ChaplainJames H. BeaverPO Box 2103Abingdon, VA 24212(276) [email protected]

Jr. Vice CommandersCharles Susino - Eastern Zone136 Jefferson StreetMetuchen, NJ 08840(732) 549-5775 phone & fax

Morris Barker - Central Zone710 Chapel ViewWaco, Tx [email protected](254) 732-5640

PNC James Cooper - Western ZonePO Box 65Douglas, AZ 85608(520) 364-8582; (520) 805-9401 [email protected]

Mid-Central RegionGrover L. Swearingen408 Fair Park AvenueWest Union, OH 45693(937) [email protected]

Deanie Schmidt1001 Parkview Blvd. #316Columbus, OH 43219(614) [email protected]

South Central RegionJames L. Lollar292 VZ CR 3727Wills Point, TX 75169(903) 560-1734; (903) 560-1705 [email protected]

Pam Warner EslingerPO Box 117Hammon, OK 73650(580) [email protected]

Northwest RegionBonnie Sharp9716 54th Street CT WestUniversity Place, WA 98467-1118(253) [email protected]

Southwest RegionMilton “Skip” Moore2965 Sierra BermejaSierra Vista, AZ 85650(520) 459-7295; (520) 533-3757 [email protected]

Lewis “Lew” Sleeper6636 E VillaDoradoTucson, AZ 85715(520) 751-9628 Voice(520) 490-1082 [email protected]

DirectorsOfficers

Committee addresses appearwith their columns

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

5

National CommanderJim Clark

newsfromhq

MEMORIALS,

MONUMENTS,

HONORSSix national veterans’ service orga-nizations have come together incourt for the first time in history inorder to present an amicus brief inPleasant Grove City v Summum peti-tioning the Supreme Court to protectour nation’s war memorials. Petition-ers in this historic coalition includethe American Legion, VFW, MOPH,NCOA, Veterans of the Vietnam Warand AXPOW. PNC Warren King firstsigned on to the petition filed by Lib-erty Legal Institute, located in Plano,TX which took the case to the Su-preme Court and won. There is a sec-ond case involving a memorial in theMojave Desert in California, whichwill be heard by the US SupremeCourt in the fall session.

Representing our members as yourNational Commander this year, I haveenjoyed the camaraderie and a highlevel of cooperativeness from virtu-ally every region. In past years, manywere demoralized and disheartenedby actions committed at the Nationallevel. Now I see that the phrase “whatcan WE do?” has been replaced by thepositive “what can we DO?”

I based my campaign for Commanderon UNITY…A board united and ca-pable of getting the job they wereelected to do done. An active mem-bership across the country encour-aged by our progress and our visionfor the future of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.

It isn’t easy. Our membership isreaching advanced age. Congress ismore concerned about where thenext dollar is coming from, ratherthan how best to care for thosewounded in the service of their coun-try. But obstacles can and will beovercome. I see a new generation ofex-prisoners of war standing up andworking for our great organization.I see children getting involved at thestate and national levels carrying onthe work of their parents. I see manymore years of viability for AXPOW.By working together – a unified body– we can do anything!

Jean Thiede, our VAVS Chairman,was notified in May that because ofher efforts on behalf of AXPOW wewere appointed to the VAVS NationalAdvisory Committee as a ServiceMember. The letter stated that “Thisappointment is based on member-ship criteria established by the NACand is a significant accomplishmentfor your organization’s affiliatedVAVS volunteers.” Thank you, Jean,for your years of hard work.

Outreach Chairman Fred Campbelltook the initiative and wrote to DearAbby about Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Itbecame a presumptive for all veter-ans last September, but there wasn’ta lot of press about it except in Fred’scolumn in the EX-POW Bulletin. Theresponse was overwhelming! Fredwill tell you more about it in the nextissue, but because of his efforts,thousands of ALS victims and theirsurviving spouses will be helped.This is Outreach at its best.

Since this is my last column as yournational commander, I want to takethis opportunity to thank everyonefor their help and support. I haveappreciated getting Chapter newslet-ters and reading the news of ourchapters around the country. My wifeand I have traveled to DepartmentConventions and everywhere we go,we have been received with friend-ship. I especially want to thank myBoard of Directors and Committees.You have truly exemplified our slo-gan “We exist to help those who can-not help themselves.” Clydie Morgan,Sally Morgan and Marsha Coke atNational Headquarters; Cheryl Cer-

bone, Sonnie Bill Mottern, MaryRolen...if I don’t mention you byname, don’t think I don’t appreciateall your hard work on behalf of ourgreat organization.

Jerri joins me in wishing everyone

our best.

Yours in fellowship,

Jim

Happy Autumn. Hope the weatherhas cooled down in your area. It hasbeen a hot summer.

It’s time to start thinking about re-newing your annual membership. Allannual memberships expire on De-cember 31st. Consider taking out alife membership. You won’t have toworry about missing one edition ofthe Bulletin.

It’s also time to start thinking aboutgifts for the holidays. We have acouple of new items that you mightlike. A new pocket knife with theAXPOW logo for $13 is loaded withgadgets. It has a knife, scissors, cork-screw and many other useful things.We also have logo ballpoint pen for$6. It makes a nice chapter gift.

Check the back of your 2010 calen-dar for pictures and an order formfor AXPOW merchandise.

HQ also sells business cards for chap-ter and department commanders for$10 for 150. Send your request inwriting. We do not take telephone

orders for personalized items.

Clydie, Marsha, Sally & Donna

Les Jackson,

Executive Director, DC Office1722 Eye Street, NW #204

Washington, D.C. 20421

(202) 530-9220;

(202) 223-8818 fax

e-mail: [email protected]

Legislative CommitteeMary Rolen

7450 Spring Village Dr. CC510

Springfield, VA 22150

(703) 923-9444

Charles Stenger, Ph.D

NC Jim Clark

on capitol hill

Ex-POW BulletinSept/Oct 2009

6

August recess has begun for Con-gressional members - you will findthem in their district offices and/ortravelling in their home States. Nowis a great time to schedule a meetingand discuss military communitygoals and key legislation. The Augustrecess runs through Labor Day 3 SEP.The House and Senate will reconveneon 8 SEP. For or a listing of Congres-sional bills of interest to the veterancommunity that have been intro-duced in the 111th Congress refer tothe Bulletin’s Veteran Legislation at-tachment. Support of these billsthrough cosponsorship by other leg-islators is critical if they are evergoing to move through the legisla-tive process for a floor vote to be-come law. A good indication on thatlikelihood is the number of cospon-sors who have signed onto the bill.Any number of members may co-sponsor a bill in the House or Sen-ate. At http://thomas.loc.gov you canreview a copy of each bill’s content,determine its current status, thecommittee it has been assigned to,and if your legislator is a sponsor orcosponsor of it.

Grassroots lobbying is perhaps themost effective way to let your Rep-resentative and Senators know youropinion. Whether you are calling intoa local or Washington, D.C. office;sending a letter or e-mail; signing apetition; or making a personal visit,Members of Congress are the mostreceptive and open to suggestionsfrom their constituents. The key toincreasing cosponsorship on veteranrelated bills and subsequent passageinto law is letting legislators knowof veteran’s feelings on issues. Youcan reach their Washington office viathe Capital Operator direct at (866)272-6622, (800) 828-0498, or (866)

340-9281 to express your views. Oth-erwise, you can locate on http://thomas.loc.gov your legislator’sphone number, mailing address, oremail/website to communicate witha message or letter of your own mak-ing. Refer to http://w w w . t h e c a p i t o l . n e t / F A Q /cong_schedule.html for dates thatyou can access your legislators ontheir home turf.

On July 23, 2009, the Senate passedthe 2010 National Defense Autho-rization Act (NDAA) S.1390 by a voteof 87-7. The House passed their ver-sion (H.R.2647) last month. TheHouse and Senate bills include anumber of other bills submitted asamendments that will impact favor-ably on the veteran community ifthey are not struck down in the com-promise committee. Some of theseare:. End the deduction of VA Depen-dency and Indemnity Compensation(DIC) from military Survivor BenefitPlan (SBP) annuities. (Senate only).·Find other ways of cutting DoDhealth costs besides shifting costs toretirees.·Extend eligibility for TRICARE Stan-dard to gray area retirees.·Enhance transitional dental care formembers of the reserve componentson active duty for more than 30 daysin support of a contingency opera-tion.·Include service after 11 SEP 01 indetermination of reduced eligibilityage for receipt of non-regular serviceretired pay. (S.Amdt: 1661)·Require DoD to improve access tomental health care for family mem-bers of members of the NationalGuard and Reserve who are deployedoverseas. (S.Amdt: 1799)·Phase out the disability offset formedically retired members regard-less of length of service.·Conduct a study on adding the Na-tional D-Day Monument in BedfordVirginia to the National Park System.

·Put service-disabled veteran-runbusinesses on equal footing in thecompetition for small business gov-ernment contracting programs.·Phase-in the extension of concur-rent receipt to all medically retiredservice members regardless of yearsof service.·Eliminate the 2013 COLA delay thatCongress passed last year. (Houseonly)·Allow agency heads to waive therequirement for retirees who are re-hired part time to take a cut in theirannuity checks. (S.Amdt: 1390)

House and Senate leaders will be ap-pointed to a conference committeeto resolve more than a thousand dif-ferences between the House- andSenate-passed versions of the de-fense bill including difficult issueson procurement, detainees and more.

The Veterans Health Care BudgetReform and Transparency Act of2009 which authorizes funding forVA medical accounts two-years inadvance passed the House and Sen-ate. The Senate passed version of thebill carries the same bill number asthe House passed bill, HR 1016, butits wording differs somewhat.

Both bills direct congressional ap-propriators to fund two-year plansfor VA health programs to avoidfinancial and management difficul-ties that have occurred in pastyears. The differences will beworked out in conference whenCongress returns in September. Itwas interesting to see that the Sen-ate also added $2 billion to extendthe “Cash For Clunkers” program.Hopefully Congress can as easilyfind money for the SBP/DIC Offsetelimination and Concurrent Receiptfor Chapter 61 medically retiredveterans.

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

7

VA Outreach

S*O*O*N

Before it’s too late

NSO Fred Campbell, Chairman 3312 Chatterton Dr.San Angelo, TX 76904325-944-4002; [email protected]

Outreach Persists

Diversity

Busy AXPOW National Service Of-ficer Irwin Stovroff in Boca Raton,Florida, knows that our Departmentof Defense and Department of Vet-erans Affairs are helping our re-turning warriors with injuries fromwar in Iraq, Afghanistan and else-where return to health throughmuch rehabilitation. But Irwin findsout more. There is no program toprovide dogs to help the blind,paralyzed or otherwise severely dis-abled veterans. And it costs over$30,000 each to train these beauti-ful canine creatures to guide theblind, fetch for those who cannotfetch for themselves, turn the lightson, and activate whatever.

So Irwin Stovroff does somethingabout it. He started a foundationto raise funds to provide traineddogs for these wounded veterans.So far more than $1.6 million nowfunds this effort. Call Irwin Stovroffat 561-488-6155 to learn moreabout VETS HELPING TODAY’S RE-TURNING HEROES.

Former POW HP in New York readsBulletin Outreach column, decides

he ought to have more than the 20%disability rating he has now, callsNSO Melanie Bussel for help.Melanie gets him up to 80% andthen due to unemployability, 100%.Good work, Melanie!

June 1, call comes from St. Louis,MO, son of a POW. “I’m calling tomake sure my mother is receivingall the widow’s benefits she’s en-titled to, since my father died lastfall. She has her DIC and Aid & At-tendance and ChampVA.” I said theonly other thing would be the edu-cation benefit, “but at her age, 87,that wouldn’t help too much.” Sonsays, “Oh, she already has that.She’s taking a course online.” I askwhat the subject is. He says “Ac-counting.” This lady may be look-ing at becoming a CPA by age 90!

More Success

“Dear Mr. C, I have received wordfrom the Department of VeteransAffairs about my widow’s compen-sation of $1,400 a month, whichbegins June 1, more than I ex-pected, plus a check for $2,800 forMarch and April. You have no ideahow much I appreciate your helpon this matter. I guess it’s a reallygood thing we subscribed to the EX-POW Bulletin in which I found yourcolumn.

Thank you so much, Mrs. B” (inTexas’ Rio Grande Valley)

AND a letter excerpt from Sarah inSmall-town Oklahoma: “Dear Fred,Needless to say I am delighted eachmonth when the VA sends a checkto our account at my bank. Jim tookcare of me during our marriage andI feel as though he is still lookingafter me.

You are the one who is responsiblefor my good fortune and I am mostgrateful to you.” Thanks to KathyMosteller, diligent POW Coordina-tor in Muskogee VA Regional Officefor her wonderful service to formerPOWs.

Success Anyway:

Elsie’s husband died in 1982, causeon death certificate, “coronarythrombosis”. Sent her DIC claim toConnecticut VA on January 30,2009. Letter to Elsie from CT VAdated April 30, 2009, saying in part,“Our records show that we’ve notbeen able to locate the original pa-perwork submitted”. So, on May 8,2009, I faxed duplicate claim pa-pers to the VA in CT.

POW Coordinator Rick Morneautakes over and expedites with a ret-roactive 12-month check for over$16,000. Elsie can’t believe it.Thanks to VA’s Rick Morneau forhis good work. And this claimmakes me think…of the littlemouse that lived in a museum…gotinto a suit of armor…was confused,couldn’t find his way out…he waslost in the mail.

Amyotrophic

Lateral Sclerosis…

Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It was ap-proved as a service-connected pre-sumptive September 23, 2008 forany veteran with cause of deathALS.

Another one remembered: KR callsfrom Massachusetts. His formerPOW uncle reads in EX-POW Bulle-tin that ALS deaths are service-con-nected for all veterans and remem-bers that KR’s father, not a POW,died of ALS in 1978. Tells KR to callto get DIC claim started for hismother. After 31 years a widow.Help is on the way.

And from Mississippi: Sarah readsin the 8th AF News that the deathsof ALL veterans who expired dueto ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, areservice-connected. Sarah calls

nso

Doris Jenks

National Service Director1120 Daleside Lane

New Port Richey, Fl. 34655

(727) 372-7238 - Home

(727) 319-5914 - Office

[email protected]


8

In recent months, we have had anumber of people calling our officeat the V.A. Regional office in St. Pe-tersburg, Fl. who have failed to leavetheir local area code. Some of them,we are able to figure out their areacodes and return their calls. Unfor-tunately, we were not able to returna number of calls as we were not ableto figure out their location.

So, if you did not receive a call back,perhaps you did not include an areacode with your message, so pleasecall again. This includes some whoare inquring about their ALSeligiblility, who were referred to usby Fred Campbell.

Leon Horowitz contacted me regard-ing who is eligible for DependentsIndenmity Compensation, so Ithought I would republish the infor-mation.

For a survivor to be eligible for De-pendents Indenmity Compensation(DIC) the veteran’s death must haveresulted from:

1) A service-connected disability (in-cluding a Former POW Presumptive)

2) A Former Prisoner of War who diedafter Sept. 30, 1999 (This year is notin the axpow.org. website) and whowas continuously rated totally dis-abled for a period of at least one yearimmediately preceding death or,

3) Continuously rated totally dis-abled for a period of 10 years imme-

diately preceding death (For FormerPrisoners of War who died prior toSept. 30, 1999).

You may be an eligible survivor if:

1) You were married to the veteranfor at least 1 year (Note, if a childwas born, there is no time require-ment) AND

2) your marriage was valid AND

3) you lived with the veteran continu-ously until his/her death or, if youwere separated, you weren’t at fault,AND

4) you are not currently married, ORyou remarried after the age of 57.

5) you are an unmarried child of adeceased veteran and you are underthe age of 18 or between the ages of18 and 23 and attending school. Cer-tain helpless adult children and someparents of deceased veterans are alsoentitled to DIC. Note the current pay-ment for DIC is $1,154 if the veterandied of a service connected disabil-ity or had his 100% less than 8 years.If the veteran was rated 100% con-tinuously for at least 8 years and thesurvivor was married to him/herthose same 8 years, the payment is$1,400.

If the death is service connected, theone-time burial payment is $2,000 ifthe cost was more than $2,000. Theperson who bore the veteran’s burialexpenses may claim reimbursementfrom the VA.

If the death was not service con-nected VA will pay $300 burial andfuneral allowance for veterans who,at time of death, were entitled to re-ceive compensation or pension orwould have been entitled if theyweren’t receiving military retirementpay.

VA will also pay a $300 plot allow-ance when a veteran is bured in acemetery not under U.S. governmentjurisdiction.

The burial allowance is a one-timepayment and does not affect the DICbenefit amount.

Leona, whose veteran husband (nota POW) who died in 1992, that shemight be eligible for VA benefit. Acounty officer sends in her claimfor VA benefit; somehow it goes toan out of state VA office. Result:“Your claim is not approved be-cause veteran did not meet the eli-gibility conditions.”

Puzzle! Maybe that office was notaware of the new ALS ruling.

Enter Jackson MS VARO POW Co-ordinator Nancy Mullins. We getthis ALS claim to her by May 7,2009, and three weeks later Leonahas her DIC.

Her note comes, “Dear Mr. C, thereare no adequate words to expressto you my thanks for all your helpin my receiving the DIC benefit. Ithought all hope was gone when Ireceived the letter stating I hadbeen denied. My friends and fam-ily are so excited for me, especiallySarah, whose magazine your letterappeared in. My loving husbandwould be so thrilled to know of thisgood fortune.

I am waiting to receive forms forthe ChampVA medical benefit. MayGod bring extra blessings to youand your family. Sincerely, Leona”Real thanks to Nancy Mullins inJackson MS VARO.

Yes and all NSOs receive extrablessings when we get letters likethis!

THINK! Can you think of someonewho died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease?Years past?THINK!

outreach cont’d...

pow medsearchMarsha Coke, Chairman

e-mail: [email protected]

3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, Suite 40

Arlington, TX 76010

(817) 649-2979


9

Packet #5 (What Every POW’s Wife Should Know Before She is Your Widow) has been updated again, with much time and effort onthe part of Marlene Agnes, to include the most recent laws and benefits published. The packet may be purchased from NationalHeadquarters. Cost of the updated packet is $15.00~includes S/H.

American POWs

in Korea

by John N. Powers

Fact versus Fiction

The Korean War began on the morn-ing of 25 June 1950 when NorthKorean troops crossed the 38th par-allel and invaded South Korea. TheSouth Korean Army was outnum-bered by about 2 to 1. Less than500 Americans were stationed inSouth Korea at that time in variousadvisory capacities.

Within three days of crossing theparallel North Korea had takenSeoul, the capital of South Korea.By August, South Korean and USforces were pushed back to thePusan perimeter on the southeast-ern coast of the Korean peninsula.They remained there until 15 Sep-tember when the landings at Inchonwere followed by the Pusanbreakout on 16 September. On the

27th of September Seoul was recap-tured by UN forces . Less than twoweeks later US and South Korean(ROK) forces crossed the 38th par-allel and headed toward the NorthKorean capital of Pyongyang. Thepush north continued until Novem-ber when Chinese Communisttroops entered the war. By the endof November UN forces were againin retreat southward. Seoul fell toCommunist forces for the secondtime on 4 January 1951.

By the end of January 1951 UNforces were again attacking north-ward, reaching Seoul in the middleof March. Just over a year after thestart of the war, on 10 July 1951,armistice talks began. These talkscontinued for two more years withlittle change in the amount of ter-ritory held by either side. An armi-stice was signed on 27 July 1953.

There are some serious misconcep-tions concerning the Korean War.The first is that the Korean War waslost. In fact, not only was the Chi-

nese Army defeated butthe North Korean Armyas well. US forces foughtagainst both armies aspart of the United Na-tions effort to drivethem out of South Ko-rea. The United Nationspassed several resolu-tions pertaining to theinvasion of South Ko-rean territory. The firstwas Security CouncilResolution 83, passedon 27 June 1950. It rec-ommended that mem-bers of the United Na-tions furnish assistanceto South Korea to repelthe attack by the North

Koreans. The resolution called forNorth Korea to withdraw its forcesto the 38th parallel. No UN resolu-tion called for anything more. Noneof them called for the taking of anyNorth Korean territory. The resultsof the war were just as asked for inSecurity Council Resolution 83. TheUnited Nations, with the bulk of theforces coming from the US, won theKorean War. US forces did exactlywhat they were asked to do, just asAmerican service men and womenhave done in every war they havefought in. They were asked to saveSouth Korea and its people fromCommunist domination and theydid so. Proof of that can be seen bycomparing life in South Korea to-day to life in North Korea.

American troops involved in theKorean War paid a price for theirparticipation. They were seen bymany in the public back home ashaving lost the war. The Americanpublic was used to World War IIstyle battles and victories. But Ko-rea was different. Americans didnot see that difference and fewwere directly involved in the war.This made it easy for the generalpublic to accept the misconceptionwe had lost the war. It also becameeasy for them to accept the miscon-ception that Americans who foughtthere must have been of lesser qual-ity than American troops in previ-ous wars.

A tremendous price was paid bythose Americans who became pris-oners of war in Korea. First, a largerpercentage of American POWs diedas prisoners in Korea than any war


10

medsearch continued...since the American Revolution.Second, most of those POWs whosurvived were assumed by the folksback home to have cooperated withthe Communists. Albert Bidermantalks about American POWs beingsubjected to the propaganda of theCommunists as prisoners duringthe war and then being subjectedto the propaganda of fellow Ameri-cans after their return home. Hesays, “The theme of this propa-ganda was that there had beenwholesale collaboration by theAmerican prisoners with their Com-munist captors…” and that thisbehavior showed the American mili-tary man to be weak. This miscon-ception came from some magazinearticles and two authors whosewritings were accepted as beingwell researched. In fact, those writ-ings were full of gross errors.

For example, articles accepted asfact by the American public statedthat 33% of US POWs were guilty ofsome kind of collaboration and 14%were guilty of serious collaborationwith the enemy. A study for theSecretary of Defense, however,found only 192 cases of what thereport termed “improper behavior”.That amounts to 4.3% of all Ameri-can POWs. Only fourteen of thosewere actually brought to courtsmartial. That amounts to 1/1000thof all American POWs. Yet, overfifty years later, there are still in-ferences in the media about thelarge scale “brain-washing” ofAmerican POWs in the Korean War.Even the fact so many died as POWswas held against them-as if theydied simply because they wereweaker than Americans in previouswars. This remains a terrible injus-tice to the men who sufferedthrough the POW camps in NorthKorea.

A common argument found in lit-erature claiming a weakness inAmerican POWs is that fewer Brit-ish POWs died and fewer collabo-rated with the Chinese. The actualnumbers do not support either ofthose claims. The first argumentis if the British could survive soshould have the Americans. Let’slook at those survival rates. Therewere no British troops capturedfrom July through December 1950,during which time almost 4,000Americans were captured. No morethan one hundred and sixty Britishtroops were captured prior to theend of April 1951 when six hundredwere captured at the Imjin River.Over 90% of the US Army deathsoccurred among those taken pris-oner prior to March 1951. Thepoint is almost all of the dyingamong American POWs took placeprior to the point at which Britishtroops were first captured. Britishfigures give a total of 1,148 POWswith a death rate of about 15%.From April 1951 through July 1953there were 1,333 US Army troopscaptured. Their death rate was13.5%. The survival rate for Britishand US Army troops captured dur-ing the same time period is statis-tically identical. The second argu-ment is that far more Americansopenly cooperated with the Chi-nese. Again, the facts do not sup-port the argument. The British mili-tary found 12% of their soldiersactively collaborated with the Chi-nese and 8% actively resisted. TheUS Army puts Americans activelycollaborating at 15% and those whoactively resisted at 5%.

American POWs are constantly in-sulted in literature with the accu-sation they died in such large num-bers because they simply gave up.The term “give-up-itis” appears fre-quently in discussions about Ko-rean War POWs. Once again, peoplewho use the term show either anignorance of the fact or a willing-ness to ignore the facts. Until thespring of 1951 the POWs were fedprimarily a diet of corn or sorghum,also known as millet. Frequentlymeals were raw, uncooked, corn or

sorghum. Soon after their initialcapture many, if not most, of theprisoners developed chronic diar-rhea. They assumed that happenedbecause they drank water that hadnot been boiled (they had no meansto boil it) or used contaminatedsnow to quench their thirst. Thoseassumptions are valid but it alsohappened because of their diet.Their diet of corn and sorghumcaused the disease pellagra. Thefirst symptom is diarrhea.

Pellagra is defined by four Ds: diar-rhea, dermatitis, dementia, anddeath. It is a systemic nutritionalwasting disease first recognized inthe early 1700s. The cause of thedisease is a lack of niacin. For twohundred years the disease was amajor problem for poor peasantsin Europe who subsisted on a dietof corn. It continues to be a prob-lem for many poor in India whosubsist on sorghum/millet. Yet forcenturies Latin Americans havebeen pellagra free while subsistingon their staple of corn. The POWsin Korea assumed a lack of ad-equate boiling of the corn leftunsoftened husks that caused theirGI problems. They were partly cor-rect. The inadequate boiling leftsharp edges on the husks that irri-tated the walls of the intestinaltract. But the inadequate boilingwas a much more serious problem.The reason Latin Americans cansubsist on a diet of corn that causespellagra for others is the fact theysoak the corn for long periods oftime before cooking it. That breaksdown the outer shell, so no sharpedges, but most importantly, thesoaking allows the release of thenaicin within the corn. It is the lackof niacin which leads to pellagra.In India the sorghum contains thenecessary vitamin but also containsan amino acid which prevents theniacin from being utilized. The nia-cin deficiency leads to pellagra.This vitamin deficiency leads to thebody producing hunger-suppres-sive endorphins. Your body chem-istry tells your mind you are nothungry. The individual will becomeweak, apathetic, disoriented, fall

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11

into a coma, and die. All of thiscan happen in less than twomonths. What appeared to bePOWs giving up were symptoms ofthe disease they contracted as aresult of their diet. Once more ricewas introduced into their diet andthe prisoners themselves took overfood preparation the death ratedropped to almost zero. In addi-tion to pellagra the POWs had todeal with dysentery, nutritionaledema, fevers, bronchitis, tubercu-losis, scurvy, infectious hepatitis,and pneumonia.

Thousands of Americans did notcooperate with the enemy and thou-sands of Americans did not simplygive up and die. Those are mythsperpetuated by early writers on theKorean War and accepted by far toomany since then. A third insultcommonly found in writings on theKorean War is the “fact” no Ameri-cans escaped from the POW campsin North Korea. This “fact” is ap-parently meant to prove the POWswere not of the caliber of Ameri-cans in previous wars, specificallyWorld War II. The fact is thatAmerican POWs held by the Ger-mans or Italians could pass as Ger-mans or Italians, both in looks andlanguage. Except for a small num-ber of American POWs who were ofOriental descent this was not thecase in Korea. The fact is that onlya handful of American POWs heldby the Japanese in WW II escaped.Those few that did were helped bythe local populations who were ter-ribly oppressed by the Japanese.The fact is that many Americans didescape from the North Koreans orthe Chinese before they reached thepermanent camps on the Yalu. TheUS Army lists 670 escapes wherean individual reached US forces.The US Army lists 5,961 as the to-tal of Army personnel captured.That means according to officialfigures at least 11% of the POWsescaped during the Korean War.Figures for World War II and Viet-nam give escapes at 2% and 4% re-spectively. So the fact is that there

was a higher percentage of success-ful escapes on the part of Ameri-cans in Korea than in any other war.It is true no Americans successfullyescaped from the permanent campsalong the Yalu. However, therewere many attempts, including in-dividuals who made multiple es-cape attempts from those perma-nent camps. In 1952 alone therewere at least 41 escape attemptsjust from from Camp 2. Thisamounts to 12% of the POWs in onlyone camp. Any discussion of Ko-rean War POWs collaborating, ornot trying to escape, or dying be-cause they were somehow deficientin character is completely invalidand a terrible insult to those Ameri-cans held as prisoners in Korea.Executions and Death Marches

As early as 5 July 1950 US troopswere captured as North Koreanforces pushed south. By the end ofthe war 7,245 Americans had beencaptured. Of this number 2,847died as prisoners of war. Many his-torians feel that at least 1,000Americans were executed shortlyafter their capture in the earlymonths of the war and are not in-cluded in the official figures. In ei-ther case, Americans held as pris-oners of war in Korea died at a ratefar above POW deaths in every warsince the American Revolution. Thenumbers above give a death rate of39%. Add 1,000 to each of the abovefigures and the death rate was over46%. There was one mass gravediscovered holding 7,000 SouthKorean bodies. How many Ameri-cans were buried in unmarkedgraves? Throughout the warAmerican bodies would continue tobe found in shallow graves, handswired behind their backs, killed ex-ecution style with shots to the backof the head. If we assume just onequarter of the 8,000 still missingwere captured, the overall death tollfor POWs rises to 52%. (Accuratefigures are hard to obtain whenlooking at Korean War POWs. Dif-ferent sources frequently cite dif-ferent numbers. For every statisticused here you will probably be ableto find another.)

Right from the beginning of the warAmerican POWs were treated differ-ently than in any previous war. FromJuly to November 1950 there wereseven documented incidents inwhich a total of over 200 Americanprisoners were very deliberately ex-ecuted by the North Koreans. Thenumber of executions with no wit-nesses can only be guessed at.

On 5 July an American officer ob-served North Korean troops as theyshot and bayoneted 33 woundedAmericans in an aid station. The of-ficer was himself captured shortlyafter. On 17 July 1950 North Kore-ans overran a group of about 20American wounded. They were be-ing cared for by a surgeon wearinga Red Cross armband and a chap-lain wearing a cross. All were imme-diately shot. The surgeon survived.In mid August a group of about 45American POWs was taken to a ra-vine. When captured their boots hadbeen taken and their hands were tiedbehind their back. In the ravine theywere shot. Four survived to tell thestory.

In late September about 60 Ameri-can POWs held at Taejon wereforced into ditches with their handswired behind their backs. They wereexecuted in groups of 14 at a time.

In mid October twelve AmericanPOWs were shot by their North Ko-rean guards while being held in a hutnear Naedae. Five of the twelve sur-vived to tell the story.

In late October about 180 AmericanPOWs were being sent north fromPyongyang in open railroad cars. Afifth of their group had already diedas a result of being marched 250miles in three weeks. On 30 Octo-ber the train arrived at the Sunchontunnel. The prisoners were taken insmall groups to nearby ravines - tobe fed, they were told. The NorthKorean guards shot 68 of the pris-oners. Others died when conditions

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in the tunnel exacerbated their al-ready serious medical problems.

In early November an American pa-trol was captured near Kaesong.While being marched away theywere shot by their guards with nowarning. One of the thirteen sur-vived.

In December 1950 five Americanbodies were found which had beenstabbed repeatedly by sharpenedbamboo sticks. A medical exami-nation showed no single wound hadcaused death. They had been tor-tured, some stabbed as many astwenty times. In many cases the vic-tims had their hands tied or wiredbehind their backs. In almost ev-ery case the North Koreans checkedthe bodies for signs of life and shotor bayoneted any who reacted. Sur-vivors frequently had multiplewounds. These executions wereonly the beginning.

Those prisoners not immediatelyexecuted were marched from theirpoint of capture to temporary hold-ing points. These were not campsbut often homes or buildings insmall villages or even caves. Theywould be held at these locations fora few weeks or a few months, thenmarched to permanent camps. OneAmerican captured at the end ofNov. 1950 did not reach a perma-nent camp until Easter of 1951.Most of that time was spent beingmoved - on foot, during the Koreanwinter - from one place to another.POWs in the Korean War traveledby train, truck, jeep, barge, ox cart,and in at least in one case, on theback of a cow. But most of all theymoved from point A to point B onfoot. In many cases bare feet.

When first captured, it was not un-common for POWs to have theirboots and any heavy outer clothingtaken away. The standard food ra-

tion was one or two rice balls a dayand little water. Medical care wasminimal, if any at all. The extremecold, minimal diet, and lack ofmedical care for wounds immedi-ately began to have negative effectson the POWs. When these circum-stances forced prisoners to fall be-hind on forced marches they wereexecuted. These marches shouldbe as well known as the BataanDeath March, but like most factsrelating to the Korean War, theAmerican public is almost com-pletely unaware of these events.

The Tiger Death March is wellknown to those POWs who survivedand serious students of Korean WarPOW issues. The name comes fromthe nickname given to the Koreanofficer in charge of the group. TheTiger Death March began on Hal-loween 1950, but many of its par-ticipants had been captured as earlyas July. Sixty-five of the militaryPOWs died before the march began.Prior to that Halloween day theyhad already experienced lack offood, water, and medical treatment.They had been marched from onetemporary location to another andthen back again. They had beenstrafed and bombed by US planes.They had seen fellow POWs beatenand shot. In early September an-other POW spotted the Tiger DeathMarch group in Pyongyang. He de-scribed them as “…ragged, dirty,hollow-eyed men…” wearing whathe could barely recognize as Ameri-can uniforms. Another POW de-scribed them as, “…crawling withlice. A large proportion of them hadno shoes. They wore light-weightsummer fatigues.” The sick,“…walked like figures in a slow-motion film…”.

On 9 October the group left thetown of Manpo on the Yalu River innorthwestern North Korea. From 9October to 31 October the Ameri-can military POWs slept in fields,often as it snowed. On the first dayof the march the Tiger shot anAmerican officer because the POWswere not keeping up with the pacehe demanded. This execution took

place in front of the entire groupas an example of what would hap-pen to others who failed to keep up.The prisoners slept in the open orwere crammed into unheated build-ings. This went on for nine days,crossing a mountain pass in theprocess. On some days they re-ceived raw corn, the same corn nor-mally given to farm animals. Otherdays they got nothing. Those whocould not keep up were executedby the guards. Those executed in-cluded a seventy-six year old nun.Others froze to death at night. Sev-enty of the group had died beforethe March even began. About 100were executed or died on the Marchitself, a death rate twice that of theBataan Death March. Unable to re-cover from the effects of the March,POWs continued to die. Within aweek and a half after 9 November24 more POWs died. By March 1951the death toll was 21 of 59 civilians,400 of 650 enlisted men, and 23 of35 officers. Lasting nine days, cov-ering one hundred miles, sleepingin the snow, crossing mountains,little or no food, executions by theguards, all resulting in a death tollof at least 50%, the Tiger DeathMarch should be embedded in theAmerican mind as firmly as theBataan Death March or D-Day. Ac-cording to a 1994 Rand report,when this group was finally turnedover to Chinese control in October1951 only 232 were still alive.Those numbers put the death tollat 70%. (References to the JohnnieJohnson list have 262 alive in Au-gust 1953. Did 744 begin the Marchor 758? The Johnson list has 496names, but that should include alldeaths from July 1950 on. It is ex-tremely difficult to get accuratenumbers.)

And there were other deathmarches. In early 1951 there were320 American POWs who weremarched from a collection point toBean Camp. They marched two tothree weeks, beginning each day’smarch as the sun set and stoppingjust before dawn. Orders weregiven by the Chinese the woundedwere not to be carried. The prison-

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13

ers were fed as the night’s marchbegan and when they stopped eachmorning. They ate with their hands,some using their caps as bowls.While marching through South Ko-rea the locals would often sneakthem extra food. Once in NorthKorean territory the diet changed.Each meal was the same - crackedcorn molded into a ball with soyabean paste. The corn was notground and was poorly cooked,leaving sharp edges which causedmore problems when diarrhea setin. They received water only atdawn. Diarrhea hit them early in themarch. If they had to empty theirbowels they would try to move tothe front of the column and squatso they could rejoin as the columnpassed. If they were not ready bythe time the end of the columnpassed by the guards would clubthem and leave them to freeze.Some POWs got up from this beat-ing and continued marching, somedid not. The lack of vitaminsbrought on night blindness. Thiscaused some POWs to walk over theedge of bridges and mountainledges. During the day they werehoused in huts. Some days not ev-eryone could fit inside and somewere forced to stay out in the coldwith no fires to help keep warm.Those inside had no fires either, butthey did have body heat and wereout of the wind. Every evening afew more were dead. The first weekof the march they had to performcalisthenics every evening.

One day they were kept in a villagewhich was also a Chinese Armyammunition dump. American jetsstrafed the village, killing somePOWs and injuring more. For thelast few days of the march theirChinese guards let them carry thosetoo weak to make it on their own.The enlisted men refused to do so,as did the senior officers. The jun-ior officers did what they could. Ofthe 320 POWs who began the marchto Bean Camp, 120 arrived at thecamp. That is a death rate of 62%

and does not factor in those deathsafter arrival at Bean Camp. Historyhas not even bothered to give aname to this atrocity.

One Seoul to Pyongyang march in-cluded 376 American POWs. Theybegan from Seoul on 26 September1950 and covered 250 miles inthree weeks. On arriving inPyongyang the group numbered296 (death rate 21%). (The distancefrom Seoul to Pyongyang is only130 linear miles. The guards onthese marches frequently got lost.Many times they would reversetheir route for no apparent reason.)

About 1,000 POWs were marchedfrom Kuna-ri to Camp 5, arrivingafter 300 died (death rate 30%).On 24 April 1951 350 POWs leftBean Camp on a march to Camp 1.The next day another group of 350left. About 17 May only 210 of theoriginal 700 arrived at Camp 1.Over the next few weeks 100 morewere brought into camp. Thetwenty-two day march led to adeath rate of 55%. On 20 May 1951about 500 POWs were marchedfrom a collection point to the tem-porary holding center at MiningCamp. They marched for forty-sixdays with little food, shelter, ormedical care. Only 50% survivedthe march.

On 16 September 1951 150 to 175POWs left their temporary camp onthe way to Camp 3. None of themhad shoes. Forty seven made it toCamp 3 on 16 October, a death rateof 68%.

Next came the temporary camps.Circumstances for the POWs didnot improve.

BbliographyBassett, Richard M. And the Wind BlewCold. Kent State University Press, Kent,

Ohio, 2002.Biderman, Albert D. March to Calumny.The Macmillan Company, New York,

1963.Carlson, Lewis H. Remembered Pris-oners of a Forgotten War. St. Martin’sGriffin, New York, 2002.

medsearch continued... Cole, Paul M. POW/MIA Issues Vol 1,The Korean War. RAND, Santa Monica,CA, 1994.Crosbie, Philip. Pencilling Prisoner. TheHawthorn Press, Melbourne, Australia,1955.Cunningham, Cyril. No Mercy, No Le-niency. Redwood Books, Trowbridge,Wiltshire, England, 2000.Davies, S. J. In Spite of Dungeons. BathPress, Bat, Avon, England, 1954.Farrar-Hockley, Anthony. The Edge ofthe Sword. The Companion Book Club,London, 1955.Gaston, Peter. Korea 1950-1953 Pris-oners of War The British Army. Light-ning Source UK Ltd, United Kingdom,1976.Green, David. Captured at the ImjinRiver. Pen and Sword Books Ltd, SouthYorkshire, England, 2003.Jones, Francis S. No Rice For Rebels.Transworld Publishers Ltd, London,1957.Lech, Raymond B. Broken Soldiers.University of Illinois Press, Urbana andChicago, 2000.Page, William Frank. The Health ofFormer Prisoners of War. NationalAcademy Press, Washington, D.C. 1992Pate, Lloyd W. Reactionary-Revised2000. Vantage Press, Inc, New York,2001.POW Debriefs, Record Group 153, Na-tional Archives and Records Adminis-tration, College Park, Maryland,through Korean War POW/MIA Net-work.Rowley, Arden A. Korea-POW. TannerPublishing, Mesa, Arizona, 1997.Rowley, Arden A. U.S. Prisoners of Warin the Korean War. Turner PublishingCo, Paducah, Kentucky, 2002.Shadish, William R. and Carlson, LewisH. When Hell Froze Over. iUniverse,Inc. New York 2007.U.S. Senate. Committee on Govern-

ment Operations. Korean War Atroci-ties. Senate Report No. 848. 83rd Con-gress. 11 January 1954. Washington

D.C.White, William Lindsay. The Captivesof Korea. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New

York, 1957.Zellers, Larry. In Enemy Hands. TheUniversity Press of Kentucky, Lexing-

ton, Kentucky, 1991.

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andersonville

Andersonville NHS496 Cemetery RoadAndersonville, GA 31711(229) 924-0343

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

15

Brad Bennett To

Head Andersonville

Brad Bennett has been named thesuperintendent of AndersonvilleNational Historic Site, effective July5, 2009.

“We are very proud to have Bradjoining our team in the Southeast,”said David Vela, regional directorfor Southeast Region.

“He has a broad base of Park Serviceknowledge and experience and hasproven himself to be an excellent

manager and educator. We know hewill be a great leader forAndersonville.”

Bennett has served in multiplemanagement posts during his 18-year National Park Service career,including two Civil War sites – asacting superintendent of Georgia’sKennesaw Mountain NationalBattlefield Park in 2008, and asacting superintendent of Virginia’sCedar Creek and Belle GroveNational Historical Park in 2001.

He also held several positions inAlaska Region, beginning with a2002 detail as a managementassistant in the remote WesternArctic National Parklands, based inKotzebue. He went on to serve assuperintendent of Bering LandBridge National Preserve, managerof the interagency Alaska PublicLands Information Center inAnchorage, and most recently asthe Alaska Region’s chief ofinterpretation and education.

Bennett started his National ParkService career in 1991 as a StudentConservation Associationvolunteer at Grand CanyonNational Park in Arizona. Duringhis tenure there, he served as aseasonal interpreter, visitor useassistant, park guide, park ranger,and interpretive specialist.

His career progression ultimatelylead him to become the firstmanager of the $25 million dollarorientation and transportationcomplex on the South Rim, whichopened in 2000.

During a subsequent assignment atHarpers Ferry Center in WestVirginia, Bennett worked withplanning and development teamson several interpretive mediaprojects across the National ParkSystem, including ManassasNational Battlefield Park in Virginia,Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,and Selma to Montgomery NationalHistoric Trail in Alabama.

Bennett grew up on the front rangeof Colorado’s Rocky Mountains andmet his wife, Emma-Gray, at theUniversity of Southern California.Prior to securing his firstpermanent position with NPS,Bennett worked as a paralegal withthe U.S. Attorney’s Office and as thevolunteer coordinator for theMountains Education Program, anon-profit organization thatintroduced Los Angeles children totheir first outdoor experiences inthe Santa Monica MountainsNational Recreation Area.

“I am humbled and honored to joinpark staff, partners, and volunteersto care for Andersonville and tellits powerful stories,” Bennett said.“The ongoing commitment of manydedicated people will ensure thatthis special place continues to offermeaningful experiences to presentand future generations.”

Brad, Emma-Gray, and their threeschool-aged children journeyedfrom Alaska to Georgia in early July,partially to be closer to familymembers who live in the SoutheastRegion.

namPOW news

Paul E. GalantiNational Director, East Central804.389.1668 (cell)[email protected]

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

16

Vietnam POWs

& the Medal of Honor

Part II Posthumous

Summary: Eight Vietnam POWswere awarded the Medal of Honor.They were VADM Jim Stockdale,USN; Col. Bud Day, USAF; Col. DonCook, USMC (Posthumously); Capt.Lance Sijan, USAF (Posthumously);Capt. Rocky Versace (Posthu-mously) for action above and be-yond the call of duty as POWs andCol. Leo Thorsness, USAF, SGM JonCavaiani, USA and SGT William Port,USA, for action prior to their beingcaptured. Here are their citations:

Posthumous Awards of the Medalof Honor went to these men whosevalor as POWs certainly went aboveand beyond the cal of duty.

Col. Donald Cook, USMC(Posthumously):For conspicuous gallantry and in-trepidity at the risk of his life aboveand beyond the call of duty whileinterned as a Prisoner of War by theViet Cong in the Republic of Viet-nam during the period 31 Decem-ber 1964 to 8 December 1967. De-

spite the fact that by so doing hewould bring about harsher treat-ment for himself, Colonel (thenCaptain) Cook established himselfas the senior prisoner, even thoughin actuality he was not. Repeatedlyassuming more than his share ofharsh treatment, Colonel Cook will-ingly and unselfishly put the inter-ests of his comrades before that ofhis own well-being and, eventually,his life. Giving more needy men hismedicine and drug allowance whileconstantly nursing them, he riskedinfection from contagious diseaseswhile in a rapidly deterioratingstate of health. This unselfish andexemplary conduct, coupled withhis refusal to stray even the slight-est from the Code of Conduct,earned him the deepest respectfrom not only his fellow prisoners,but his captors as well. Rather thannegotiate for his own release orbetter treatment, he steadfastlyfrustrated attempts by the VietCong to break his indomitablespirit, and passed this same resolveon to the men whose well-being heso closely associated himself.Knowing his refusals would preventhis release prior to the end of thewar, and also knowing his chancesfor prolonged survival would besmall in the event of continued re-fusal, he chose nevertheless to ad-here to a Code of Conduct far abovethat which could be expected. Hispersonal valor and exceptionalspirit of loyalty in the face of almostcertain death reflected the highestcredit upon Colonel Cook, the Ma-rine Corps. and the United StatesNaval Service.

Capt. Lance Sijan, USAF(Posthumously)While on a flight over North Viet-nam, Capt. Sijan ejected from hisdisabled aircraft and successfullyevaded capture for more than 6weeks. During this time, he wasseriously injured and suffered fromshock and extreme weight loss dueto lack of food. After being cap-tured by North Vietnamese sol-diers, Capt. Sijan was taken to aholding point for subsequent trans-fer to a prisoner of war camp. In

his emaciated and crippled condi-tion, he overpowered 1 of hisguards and crawled into the jungle,only to be recaptured after severalhours. He was then transferred toanother prison camp where he waskept in solitary confinement andinterrogated at length. During inter-rogation, he was severely tortured;however, he did not divulge any in-formation to his captors. Capt. Sijanlapsed into delirium and was placedin the care of another prisoner.During his intermittent periods ofconsciousness until his death, henever complained of his physicalcondition and, on several occasions,spoke of future escape attempts.Capt. Sijan’s extraordinary heroismand intrepidity above and beyondthe call of duty at the cost of hislife are in keeping with the highesttraditions of the U.S. Air Force andreflect great credit upon himselfand the U.S. Armed Forces.

Capt. Rocky Versace(Posthumously)Captain Humbert R. Versace distin-guished himself by extraordinaryheroism during the period of 29October 1963 to 26 September1965, while serving as S-2 Advisor,Military Assistance Advisory Group,Detachment 52, Ca Mau, Republicof Vietnam. While accompanying aCivilian Irregular Defense Grouppatrol engaged in combat opera-tions in Thoi Binh District, AnXuyen Province, Captain Versaceand the patrol came under suddenand intense mortar, automaticweapons, and small arms fire fromelements of a heavily armed enemybattalion. As the battle raged, Cap-tain Versace, although severelywounded in the knee and back byhostile fire, fought valiantly andcontinued to engage enemy targets.Weakened by his wounds and fa-tigued by the fierce firefight, Cap-tain Versace stubbornly resistedcapture by the over-powering VietCong force with the last full mea-sure of his strength and ammuni-tion. Taken prisoner by the VietCong, he exemplified the tenets ofthe Code of Conduct from the timehe entered into Prisoner of War sta-

pow-mia

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

17

namPOW continued...

PNC John Edwards

Chairman889 Randall Road

Niskayuna, NY 12309-4815

(518) 393-3907 phone & fax

tus. Captain Versace assumed com-mand of his fellow American sol-diers, scorned the enemy’s exhaus-tive interrogation and indoctrina-tion efforts, and made three unsuc-cessful attempts to escape, despitehis weakened condition which wasbrought about by his wounds andthe extreme privation and hard-ships he was forced to endure. Dur-ing his captivity, Captain Versacewas segregated in an isolated pris-oner of war cage, manacled in ironsfor prolonged periods of time, andplaced on extremely reduced ration.The enemy was unable to break hisindomitable will, his faith in God,and his trust in the United Statesof America. Captain Versace, anAmerican fighting man who epito-mized the principles of his coun-try and the Code of Conduct, wasexecuted by the Viet Cong on 26September 1965. Captain Versace’s

gallant actions in close contact withan enemy force and unyieldingcourage and bravery while a pris-oner of war are in the highest tra-ditions of the military service andreflect the utmost credit upon him-self and the United States Army.

SGT William Port, USA:For conspicuous gallantry and in-trepidity at the risk of his life aboveand beyond the call of duty. Sgt.Port distinguished himself whileserving as a rifleman with CompanyC, which was conducting combatoperations against an enemy forcein the Que Son Valley. As Sgt. Port’splatoon was moving to cut off areported movement of enemy sol-diers, the platoon came underheavy fire from an entrenched en-emy force. The platoon was forcedto withdraw due to the intensityand ferocity of the fire. Althoughwounded in the hand as the with-drawal began, Sgt. Port, with com-

plete disregard for his safety, ranthrough the heavy fire to assist awounded comrade back to thesafety of the platoon perimeter. Asthe enemy forces assaulted in theperimeter, Sgt. Port and 3 comradeswere in position behind an embank-ment when an enemy grenadelanded in their midst. Sgt. Port, re-alizing the danger to his fellow sol-diers, shouted the warning, “Gre-nade,” and unhesitatingly hurledhimself towards the grenade toshield his comrades from the explo-sion. Through his exemplary cour-age and devotion he saved the livesof his fellow soldiers and gave themembers of his platoon the inspi-ration needed to hold their posi-tion. Sgt. Port’s selfless concern forhis comrades, at the risk of his lifeabove and beyond the call of dutyare in keeping with the highest tra-dition of the military service andreflect great credit on himself, hisunit, and the U.S. Army.

US Pilot’s

Remains Found

in Iraq After 18 Years

August 2, 2009

Remains found in Iraq’s Anbarprovince are those of Navy Capt.Michael Scott Speicher, who wasshot down flying a combat mission

in an F/A-18 Hornet on Jan. 17,1991, Defense Dept. officials re-ported.

The Pentagon’s announcementresolved questions about the fateof Captain Michael Scott Speicher,who some believed had survived hisshoot-down and been takenprisoner by Iraq.

Bone fragments and skeletalremains were recovered in thedesert last week by U.S. Marinesstationed in Iraq’s Anbar province,thanks to a tip from an Iraqi citizen,the department said. It said theywere identified as Speicher’s by theArmed Forces Institute ofPathology.

Speicher’s F/A-18 Hornet fighterwas shot down over west-centralIraq on January 17, 1991, the firstnight of the first Gulf War, whicheventually drove Iraqi leaderSaddam Hussein from Kuwait.

An official Navy history identifiedSpeicher as the first American ca-sualty of the conflict. Some reports

had emerged that Speicher, 33when he was downed, might havesurvived and become a captive ofSaddam.

On January 11, 2001, Speicher’sstatus was changed from killed inaction to missing in action. The U.S.intelligence community had con-cluded that Baghdad could accountfor Speicher’s fate but was conceal-ing information, according to anunclassified summary of its find-ings released in March 2001.

POW/MIA car-window decals areavailable at a cost of $20 per 100 bysending a check to the League office

at 1005 North Glebe Road, Suite 170,Arlington, VA 22201. POW/MIAlapel pins are also available at $3

each or 2/$5. For added informationplease contact the League’s web siteat www.pow-miafamilies.org or callthe national office at 703-465-7432.If no one is available to take your

call, please leave a message.


18

civilians

Walter H. Riley, Chairman

14521 Cyprus Point Drive

Dallas, TX 75234

(972)247-6069

[email protected]

The Siege of Santo Tomas

(part 4)

I remarked on the danger to shackdwellers if bullets were to be fly-ing, and offered to go over and in-terpret if Lloyd wished to requestpermission to allow shack dwellersto go for safety to the Main Build-ing. Lt. Abiko was out In front ofthe Ed. Building giving orders tosoldiers who jumped on bicyclesand were hurrying off. He gave us20 minutes freedom to move folksin for safety. The electricity hadgone off and so our loud speakersystem was out of commission.That meant going out and shout-ing the permission, and because itmight involve meeting sentries whodidn’t know of the permission, Iwent along too.

That job over and folks safely in-side, I told Lloyd that I would campout in the First Aid Clinic in theMain Building so that I would beeasily found by either Japanese orinternees. On “air raid” we weresupposed to have someone therefor contact between the two sets ofauthorities. I was supposed to beoff my feet, but by getting asteamer chair it looked as though Icould do it without too muchstrain.) A few minutes later I wasjust settling in when we saw rock-

ets flare at our gate. Several rock-ets had been sent up and machinegun fire from tanks had been au-dible. They told me the Comman-dant was calling for the Committeeand they were starting over so Itrailed along and caught them inthe open before we reached the Ed.Building. There they had gotten apressure lamp to going which illu-minated the lobby. We were showninto the Commandant’s office. Hemotioned us to sit down, taking meby the arm and telling me to sit nextto him. Lloyd was next, then Carroll,then Stanley. (Lloyd and Carrollwere the two committee men. Athird had been arrested and re-moved from camp. Stanley was theother interpreter.) He was inter-preter from the start of the camp,but after I came there was a gradualshifting and in the period Augustto the end I was the one who hadmost of the interpreting for theCommandant. The Commandantsaid that we knew that he had beenwaiting for the time to come to turnus free.

It looked as though tonight werethe night. Tank (or tanks) were atthe gate. Here an aide whispered inhis ear and he said, not the gate butthe inner gate. On pretense that Ineeded to know whether it was tankor tanks I asked him, and he saidmany tanks. We could hear shotsand shouting. Soon we heard tanksrumbling on the walk and thingsout of doors became turmoil, forthe internees in the main buildingbegan to stream out. In the Ed.Building the Japanese blocked thestairs and permitted no one tocome down (though a few did getdown by rope). The Commandantasked for someone to go out andbring in the ranking American of-ficer that he might turn over therolls to him. I started to my feet,but he grabbed my arm and told meto stay, Earl Carroll and Stanleywere permitted to go. The Lieuten-ant in charge of the guard was notpresent. (Later it turned out that hehad gone to the gate and had beenon the point of throwing a handgrenade when he was shot through

the arm and side. He was taken tothe first aid clinic and there hiswounds were dressed after whichhe was put in the camp jail in themain building.)

Two of the J. staff who had alwaysbeen friendly, Ohashi and Hirose,were over at the Main Building witha lieutenant from headquarters (hisname slips me). What talk went onthere I don’t know, but that lieu-tenant was deprived of his sword,map case, automatic, flag, and can-teen. He returned to the Ed. Build-ing. The other two consideredthemselves as having been cap-tured without their having gonethrough the form of surrender. Wewaited for a half hour but Carrolland Stanley failed to return. I had achance to arrest a looter (internee)and to look out the commandant’sbedroom window at his orders tosee if the wrecking of his two trucks(drawn up in readiness for takingout the J. stall) could be stopped.Of course the boys didn’t stopwrecking the trucks. At last theCommandant grew weary of wait-ing and I told him I thought I couldfind an officer. He allowed Lloydand me to go in search of one. I lostLloyd then but I found in the tur-moil of people in front of the MainBuilding, a Major Gerhardt who waswilling to take responsibility. HisColonel had been wounded at thegate, I heard later. Major G. saidthere was nothing to negotiate withthe Commandant. The Americanshad captured the camp and theJapanese could surrender if theywished, or else. He would give themten minutes to make up their mindsand surrender. He referred me to aLieutenant M-(l have forgotten hisname). Yelling the name at the topof my lungs I went around tryingto locate him. I found him at last inthe dark at the East end of the Ed.Building.

(FINAL INSTALLMENT INTHE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ISSUE)


19

events

September 8-13, 2009. The AX-POW National Convention is be-ing held in Boise, Idaho.

September 11, 2009. The NationalMemorial Service will be held at theAXPOW National Convention inBoise. More information will be atthe convention.

September 11, 2009. The Next-of-Kin reunion will be held at theNational Convention in Boise at7PM. We will meet and greateveryone and discuss what andwhere we want to go in theOrganization. We would like to seeall NOKs there if possible. It is goingto be a lot of fun.

Sept. 23-28, 2009. The 4th AnnualKorean War Veterans Associationreunion will be held at the EdenResort, Lancaster, PA. All KoreanWar Veterans welcome! Great sidetrips to the Korean Memorial, Val-ley Forge and Lancaster County.Contact: Charles & Judy Egresitz,717-652-4088, 717-497-6971;[email protected].

Sept. 23-27, 2009. The 35th Infan-try Division Association will holdits Annual Reunion at the RamadaHotel & Convention Center, Topeka,KS. Delegations from cities in Eu-rope the 35th Division liberated inWWII will attend. For details, callCol. Robert Dalton, 785-267-3295;or www.35thInfDivAssoc.com.

March 5-6, 2010. The USS Hous-ton Survivors Association AnnualReunion will be held at the Hous-ton Downtown Doubletree Hotel.Feel free to stay a couple of daysinto the next week @ our USS HOUS-

TON rate, $89.00. The group rateis now in the system - you maymake your reservations by one of

the following. Call 1-800-222-TREEand give the group name of USSHOUSTON before requesting yourdates of stay. For more information,contact Lin at:[email protected]

lookingfor

Dorothy Miller would like to con-tact my husband’s buddies. Info:Samuel Miller of Pennsylvania; 28th

Division, 103rd Army Engineers,Company “B”; captured Battle of theBulge, Interned at Stalag 9B. Samdied Sept. 22, 2008. Please contactme at 561-383-5058 or 321-987-9147; 9857 Via Grande West,Wellington, FL 33411.

I was in the 5th Infantry Division,2nd Regiment and Company B, Ithink in 1943-45. I joined my unitin Warrenpoint, Northern Irelandlate in 1943. Spent 9 months therebefore landing on Utah Beach,France on July 10th of 44. Our Unitwas in a holding position in aFrench farm yard (not bad duty)until we moved into the line on July27th. I was captured that same day.The last few months of 44 and un-til the end of May, 45 I was in a workcamp at Adorf, Germany, workingon the railroad. I finally escapedafter three attempts on May 1, 45just 7 days before the war was overin Europe. I am looking for and hop-ing to be in contact with any guysthat may have been with me at anyone of those steps along the way. Ihave found 5 guys who were in thework camp at Adorf. My name isFred Scheer, 2626 Peachtree Rd.,N.W., Unit 703, Atlanta, GA 30305.My phone is (404) 841-6264. My e-mail is [email protected].

I am writing a book and am hopingyou could help me. My father, Ri-chard W. Bridges, was the pilot of aB-24 shot down on October 1, 1943,just after his aircraft, theFascinatin’ Witch, bombed WienerNeustadt, Austria. German fighterskilled three crewmen. Six othersbailed out, landed in the Austriancountryside and were capturedwithin two days. My father kept theplane steady and was about to jumpout of the Fascinatin’ Witch whenthe plane exploded. His parachutemiraculously opened, and helanded just inside Hungarian terri-tory. A day later, he stumbled upona Hungarian village. He must havebeen a sight — shoeless, burned onhis face and hands and still in hisflying coveralls. The locals put salveon his burns, fed him and called theauthorities. My father, who died in2003, told me that he believed hewas the first American POW in Hun-gary. He was a POW in Hungary atvarious camps until about April 1,1944, when he was transferredalong with several other Americanairmen (who had been subse-quently captured in Hungary) to aGerman-run camp in Zemun, Yugo-slavia, across the river fromBelgrade. He and several others es-caped from the camp on what I be-lieve was the night of April 17,1944, during the lull of a majorbombing raid by the USAF againstBelgrade. He and at least one otherAmerican airman hooked up withTito’s Partisans and were rescuedout of Yugoslavia in an OSS missionon July 20, 1944. I am trying to findany other POWs in Hungary in thefirst part of 1944 and any POWsheld at Zemun — or any written ac-counts of men held in either place.Could you or anyone else in theassociation help me? I would bemost grateful. I am a foreign corre-spondent based in Caracas, Ven-ezuela. Thanks so much! TylerBridges; [email protected].

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

20

On June 20, 2009, a cool breezeblew through the dry day atThurmond Fairview Cemetery inNew Fairview. Corporal CyreniusW. James would have been proudof how many people attended a cer-emony that honored his service toAmerica, on this hot summer day.

The ceremony started with afriendly greeting, provided by UNTstudent Casey Blair, a g-g-g grand-son of Corporal James. Then, FortWorth SUVCW Camp chaplain GeneWillis led an invocation. The prayerwas followed with a brief historyand purpose of the SUVCW, spokenby Vice Commander Hal Hughes.The Boy Scout Venturing Crew 1872presented colors, which were ap-

propriately shown by the gustingwind. Afterwards, SUVCW Com-mander Beau Moore provided abrief history of the 79th Illinois Vol-unteer Infantry. The 79th Infantrywas Corporal James’s military unit.SUVCW and American Ex-Prisonersof War member, Christopher Blair,unveiled the medallions of his g-g-g grandfather.

And, a patriotic wreath was pre-sented by the Fort Worth SUVCWCamp. After this wreath was placedbehind Corporal James’s grave, theBoy Scout Venturing Crew 1872 wasagain involved in the ceremony byperforming an artillery salute. Thesalute was given through the firingof three canons.

To close the ceremony, AmericanEx-Prisoners of War-Fort WorthChapter Commander, Mel Stevens,gracefully provided a benediction.The SUVCW retired the colors andall attendees sang the Battle Hymnof the Republic, with Truitt J.

Installation of a Grand Army of the Republicand an Ex-Prisoners of War Grave Marker

Rogers leading the hymn with thestrumming of his guitar.

Jack Christopher BlairLife Member, [email protected]

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

21

A different take

on moon landing

By James H Warner

July 20, 2009, marked the 40th an-niversary of the first moon landingby astronaut Neil Armstrong. Al-most everyone who was alive at thetime will remember the day. Theywill remember where they were andwhat they were doing when theyheard the news.

I, too, remember where I was andwhat I was doing on that day, How-ever, I did not hear the news of themoon landing for several moreyears. I was a prisoner of war inNorth Vietnam and on July 20,1969, I was in a small box that satout in the sun in the third monthof a prolonged interrogation aboutwhat the Communists were con-vinced was an escape attempt. Al-though we did not hear any news

about the actual moon landing, theApollo program did affect us in aninteresting way because we thoughtthe landing had happened severalmonths earlier.

One morning in late December1968, we heard the customary hissas the loudspeaker system beganwarming up for what we anticipatedwould be the usual propaganda ses-sion from radio Hanoi. To our sur-prise, however, at 8 a.m., instead ofradio Hanoi, we heard a man with aBritish accent say, “This is the BBCHong Kong. The American astro-nauts become the first human be-ings to come under the gravita-tional influence of another celestial

body.” And then the radio wentdead.

We never knew whether theywanted us to hear this or if it was aterrible mistake by someone whohad been surreptitiously listeningto the BBC.

An hour later, we were taken outto wash. The first man out of ourcell was Air Force Capt. KennethFisher. We had not rehearsed whathappened next. Ken looked up andcould see the moon in the clear win-ter sky. He came to a stop, snappedto attention and saluted the moon.Instantly, the rest of us caught on.As each of us left the cell, we cameto a stop, snapped to attention andsaluted the moon.

The guard who was on duty in theguard tower leaned out to see whatwe were saluting. He had to lean sofar that his pith helmet fell off. Healmost dropped his rifle and, for asecond, we thought he would fallout of the tower himself.

Navy Lt. j.g. Ted Stier went up toone of the guards and pointed atthe moon and spoke the Vietnam-ese word for the United States, “HoaKy.” He then pointed at the groundand said “Vietnam.” He then madea pantomime as though he wereoperating a very large piece of ar-tillery. Pointing at the moon again,and again speaking the Vietnameseword for America, “Hoa Ky,” he be-gan rocking back and forth with hisimaginary artillery piece while cry-ing out “boom, boom, boom” toshow that American artillery, ifplaced on our moon, would havethe range to hit North Vietnam. Tedwalked away while the guard con-tinued to stare doubtfully at themoon.

Later that morning, our politicalofficer called Ken Fisher, who wasthe senior officer in our cell, out tointerrogation and demanded anexplanation of our conduct. Now,we didn’t hear the whole news re-port from the BBC, so we assumedit meant somebody had landed on

the moon. Ken explained sinceAmericans were the first to land onthe moon, it must belong to us.Therefore, we were just showingrespect for our country by salutingwhen we saw it.

He told the political officer, whomwe called “Louis the Rat,” that de-spite American ownership of themoon, we would allow Vietnam tocontinue to use our moon to timetheir lunar new year. However, Kenadded, they would have to changethe Vietnamese word for moon. InVietnamese, the word for the moonis actually two words, “ma trung.”The word for American is “my.”Therefore, Kenneth said, theywould have to call our moon “mytrung.” Rat got very angry and sentKenneth back to our cell.

Thereafter, at every opportunity, weasserted American ownership ofthe moon. This soon spreadthroughout the camp and guys be-gan saluting the moon wheneverthey saw it.

We didn’t learn about our error intiming of the moon landing untilearly 1973, when we were joined bysome of those shot down in 1972.By that time, however, the othernews about what was going on inthe real world was so interestingthat we paid little attention to themoon landing. In any case, ourstory about the landing, even if pre-mature, sounded better to us.

.James H. Warner of Rohrersville, MDis a retired attorney. He was a na-val flight officer in the Marine Corps,flying in F-4B fighter/bombers inVietnam. He was a POW for 5 1/2years

Your

Stories


22

by Alice A. Booher

At a nongovernmental organiza-tional (NGO) Gala Salute to POWWomen held in Washington, D.C. inMarch 1992, many of you first metDr. Elizabeth (Beth) Norman, thedaughter of two WWII veterans,then finishing up extensive re-search on her book on the Ameri-can Army and Navy women (dieti-cian, physical therapist and mostlynurses) who became POWs in thePhilippines. Beth’s husbandMichael, a well respected journal-ist for the NY Times, WashingtonPost and GQ magazines, edited theresulting manuscript for Beth’s wellreceived book, We Band of Angels(Random House, 1999; Simon andSchuster Atria paperback, 2000).He suggested that they shoulddocument the men’s story as well.

For over a decade, the Normans didexhaustive research, interviewingmore than 400 people, taking a trip

to Japan, three trips to The Philip-pines, forays across CONUS inter-viewing Bataan survivors and uti-lizing more than 2,000 documentsand books, many previously undis-covered in English, various Filipinodialects, and Japanese (recordedon-site, contemporaneously trans-lated and then translated againCONUS for accuracy and content).In addition to the 40 POW womenBeth had interviewed for her ownbook, they both interviewed an-other 100 men who made theBataan Death March, includingsome of you and many others youknow so well. The Normans readilyacknowledge and liberally citemany of the fine books already writ-ten by Americans about the BataanPOW experience, (e.g., SidneyStewart’s Give Us This Day and Ri-chard Mallonee’s The Naked Flag-pole: Battle for Bataan from the Di-ary of Richard C. Mallonee.)

As Beth Norman explained in cor-respondence to this author in July2009, at some point in their jour-ney to tell the Bataan Death Marchstory, they jointly reached the con-clusion that they should write abook that included the perspectivesof everyone involved: AmericanPOWs, Filipino soldiers and civil-ians, and former Japanese soldiers.Throughout the Normans havestrongly insisted that they neverhad any intention of excusing whatthe Japanese did, as there is sim-ply is no excusing the atrocitiesthey committed, but through com-munication with and amongst allparties involved, there might besome understanding as to the foun-dations of such brutal behavior.This is an extraordinary goal - onewhich is by no means easily ap-proached let alone approximated.Part of the uniqueness of theproject is that they have not sparedthe harsh glare of day on what wasdone, a sordid and complicatedsaga if there ever was one; but en-deavor to annotate the aggregatecircumstances, no matter the intentand/or result. Within this premise,while each reader must individually

judge the extent of the success ofthe hypothesis based on their ownrealities and experiences, for allthere are insightful parallelsmeshed in a unique viewpoint onthis most personal story for manyof you, your friends and families.

Beth says that her husband Michael,whose own MOS was as a combatradioman in Vietnam (USMC 2/9,1967-1969), felt that the story ofBataan and its aftermath was theworst war story he had ever heard.He felt that if they could writeabout Bataan in a way that put thereader personally and intimately atsurrender, on the Death March, inthe prison camps and on the hellships, they might be able to makethe reader feel the truth of war—the individual cost.

The Normans are grateful for thedeep resources and cooperationmade available from and by Ameri-can former POWs as facilitated viaveterans organizations like theAmerican Defenders of Bataan andCorregidor (ADBC), the Battling Bas-tards of Bataan (BBB), American Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW) and oth-ers including individuals who sim-ply dared to step up to the plate.

They had colleagues in the Philip-pines who helped them find veter-ans and civilians to be interviewed.They walked the length of the DeathMarch, an experience that viscerallyhelped them sense the stifling heat;smell the rotting, teeming, unfor-giving living jungle; visualize theareas where the men were penned;and feel the Old National Road un-der foot. One can only imagine thatit might have been a comparablebut much more powerful version ofthe intense emotion this author hadat the Andersonville POW Museumin Americus, GA for the first time,and rounding a corner, abruptlyencountered the original CementCross from Camp O’Donnell,brought CONUS by Bataan survi-vors. As the late MAJ Richard M.Gordon, [author of Horyo, and edi-tor of The Bataan Banner, the news-

Capturing

Bataan

Perspectives

Ben Steele


23

letter of the BBB, and one formerPOW who assisted the Normans]said of the Cross, it was “to remem-ber the precepts of courage, devo-tion to duty and sacrifice displayedby the men of women of and onBataan”. That equates to the es-sence of what the Normans taskedfor themselves.

Finding Japanese willing to speakon the Bataan story was under-standably a more nuanced, difficultand delicate task. They were ableto work with a thoughtful Japanesejournalist, Kyoko Onoki, a middle-aged woman who wanted to learnmore about her country in the war.Kyoko went to Japanese veteran’sorganizations and approached in-dividual participants. Eventually,the Normans themselves traveledto Japan and interviewed oneprison guard at a coal mine whereAmerican and British soldiersworked as slaves (this man spent 7years in Sugamo Prison in Tokyo forhis war crimes) and 22 former Im-perial soldiers, including MasahikoHomma, LTG Masaharu Homma’sson, who contributed photos aswell as written documentation,much of a very personal, family

nature. He himself had become aPOW of the Russians at the end ofthe war.

In the end, this cross-cultural per-spective allowed the Normans towrite about the Fall of Bataan andafterwards with a new and differ-ent voice, incorporating the uniquecultural heritage of the involvedparties, and integral use of occa-sional Tagalog and/or original Japa-nese phrases, always in content andtranslation. An excellent exampleof the linguistic impact is the pri-mary title of the book: Tears in theDarkness. When faced with unten-able options for dealing with battleas ordered from the Chrysanthe-mum Throne down, GeneralHomma’s countenance was ob-served by one of his aides as seem-ingly filled with anrui, translated as“hidden grief, tears in the dark-ness”. The authors explain thatanrui (pronounced on-RUE-ee), is aliteral translation of the Japaneseideograph or kanji and “the wordand the image it conveys are meantto explain that kind of pain andsorrow that, literally cannot beseen. The Normans noted that“among English idioms, the meta-

phor that best expresses this is ‘abroken heart’. It is true that somemen – men of greed, ambition, orraw animus – love war but most, theoverwhelming number who areforced to bear arms, come homefrom the killing fields and prisoncamps with anrui, ‘tears in the dark-ness’ “.

Utilizing a somewhat unusual writ-ing technique, the book accentu-ates and alternates history and cul-ture from the perspectives of theAmerican, Japanese and Filipinoparticipants; but it is also uniquein that it juxtaposes documenteddetails with exquisitely personalcameos of senior and junior, youngand old, experienced and neophyte,officer and enlisted soldiers (infan-try for the Americans, hohei or“step-soldiers” for the Japanese)and their families through diaries,letters and interviews. They alsocarefully assess the various pyra-midal components of the indig-enous Filipino fighting andnonfighting forces.

For the American point of interest,and already solidly into the re-


24

search which would result in hun-dreds of personal contacts, theNormans met, got to know and de-cided to primarily focus on a singleAmerican, U.S. Army Air CorpsPOW, Pvt. Benjamin Charles Steele,born in November 1917, a Montanacowboy, “Ben” to his comrades, and“Bud” to his family. Steele and hisbuddy Quentin Pershing “QP”Devore, of Colorado met onboardship in October 1941 and nearlyseven decades later, remain friends.Myriad Bataan survivors are fea-tured, including some of you andmany you know, but Steele as apersonalized hub serves well to il-lustrate all facets of the situation,not only because of his unique per-sonal charm, articulations and in-sights, but because he was in virtu-ally all pertinent Pacific Theatervenues starting at Clark Field andthroughout captivity, working whilea prisoner as road builder, steve-dore, farm hand, wild beast meatdresser and coal miner. The numer-ous pen and ink drawings and cari-catures by the talented, introspec-tive Steele, who returned CONUS tobecome a recognized Western art-ist and art professor, are a special

treat and establish credible alterna-tive reflections. The Normans col-laterally liked the idea of Steelegrowing up as a cowboy in Montanasince nothing is more American inour psyche than the West and thecowboy. His youth and love ofMontana life serve as a wonderfulcounterbalance with the war expe-riences.

Both Normans are historians andteachers at heart, as reflectedherein. The publisher Farrar, Strausand Giroux calls their new literaryreportage style as “Narrative Por-traiture”. However it is described,the book is a commanding and valu-able tool for historians. TheNorman’s effort is extraordinary,and while it is no way exculpatory,the undercurrent malevolence ofthe Bataan story balanced with thehumanity involved, does serve to beilluminating. Even though for manyit may revisit old wounds, and cer-tainly does not intend to heal all ofthose, the Normans have genuinelyendeavored to provide a fresh, in-sightful, positive, persuasive andunequivocally worthwhile readwhatever one’s viewpoint, experi-ences, purpose or constituency.

Remarkably the book has taken offon the “book charts” that measuresuch things, so it may have thepractical effect of educating an en-

tire new group of folks on theBataan Death March and the POWexperience as a whole. As reportedin the July/August 2009 issue ofthis American ExPOW Bulletin, inthe summer of 2009, and alongwith many of you, the Normans andSteele journeyed to San Antonio forthe final convention for the ADBCwhere, among many other experi-ences and in the company of some73 Bataan survivors, they witnessedthe mixed response to the apologyfrom the Japanese Ambassador tothe U.S., Ichiro Fujisaki, on behalfof his country for the Bataan DeathMarch asking that “the Japanesepeople should bear in mind that wemust look into the past and to learnfrom the lessons of history”. Ac-cording to the Arizona Republic ofJune 1, 2009, “(the Japanese Am-bassador) said his country was ex-tending a heartfelt apology for hav-ing caused tremendous damageand suffering to many people in-cluding POWs, those who have un-dergone tragic experiences”. TheNormans, with the help of both sub-jective and objective data, wellcover all participants, particularlySteele and his fellow AmericanPOWs, some 100 of whom are listedin acknowledgements as helpingwith the research; but also includ-ing the essence of enemies such aGeneral Homma, commander of thearmy that invaded the Philippines,culminating in his arrest in 1946,trial in a military court and deathfor failing “to control the opera-tions” of his men, thus “permittingthem to commit brutal atrocities”,including the Death March. In nu-merous media interviews and booksignings over the past months, ona website, and throughout thebook, the Normans have acceptedthat not everyone may be entirelycomfortable with their approach.They further suggest that multipleeye witnesses to history often dif-fer. But they have made an extraor-dinary effort to offer a generous,realistic, articulate spectrum fromwhich to view the truths of Bataan.

Drawings by Ben Steele

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

25

The National Prisoner of War Mu-seum was opened in 1998 fulfillingthe historic site’s legislative man-dates to enhance the awareness andunderstanding of the sacrifices ofAmerican prisoners of war through-out history. This learning opportu-nity however, is provided to only avery small percentage of the gen-eral public, in particular those150,000 yearly visitors to the park,who would want the opportunity tolearn more about the AmericanPOW experience. Despite the suc-cess of the museum, few peopleknow that Andersonville is the na-tional memorial to ALL POW’s inAmerican history.

The historic site is working to pro-duce a major traveling exhibitionbased on the current thematic ex-hibit halls of the National POWMuseum. This new exhibitionwould be comparable in concept tothe exhibits in the museum. Thetraveling exhibit will not replicatethe current POW museum butrather complement and offer visi-tors a glimpse of what could awaittheir visit to Andersonville. Theexhibition would include cases, wallpanels, freestanding displays andcomputer and AV equipment thatwould display the site’s oral historycollection.

The design of the exhibition wouldpermit hosting by military muse-ums, historical societies, schoolsand universities, galleries, commu-

nity libraries and othercultural institutions. Thehosting institution wouldhave to meet the requiredlevels of security and en-vironmental conditions ofthe National Park Servicestandards. However, ob-jects selected for displaywould be those items leastvulnerable to damage ordeterioration. Receivingmuseums would pay thecost of shipping to thenext location. The exhibit

would be hosted for three monthperiods.

The park would use this exhibit toreach a larger audience who are ei-ther unaware of or not able to travelto South Georgia. This exhibitionwould also encourage the Americanpublic to visit the only NPS site es-tablished “…to interpretthe role of prisoner-of-warcamps in history and tocommemorate the sacri-fice of Americans who losttheir lives in suchcamps…”

The estimate for plan-ning, design and construc-tion is approximately$400,000. The planningphase of the project wascompleted in March 2009with Concept/Schematicdesign documents submitted to thepark by Museum Design Associates.The preliminary concept planningwas funded by the AndersonvilleTrust with an NPS match. The site

National POW Museum Traveling Exhibit Project (Update)entered into the “Full Design” phasecontract in June 2009 with MuseumDesign Associates. Phase two isagain being funded by the Ander-sonville Trust with a matching NPSgrant. The design phase timeline isapproximately 10 months.

The plan for the project, with fund-ing appropriated and raised accord-ingly, is to do planning in FY2008(completed), project design inFY2009-10 and fabrication inFY2011. The exhibit would be avail-able for display at four locationsper year for ten years.

This project is being developed bythe staff at Andersonville NationalHistoric Site in cooperation with theFriends of Andersonville and theAmerican Ex-Prisoners of War. TheFriends of Andersonville are receiv-ing donations for this project. Alldonations are tax-deductible. Dona-tions should be made out to thePOW Traveling Legacy and sent toFriends of Andersonville, PO Box186, Andersonville, GA 31711.

Material Provided by Ed

Dement, Andersonville

Coordinator

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

26

Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl

Still Being Held Prisoner

On June 30th, an American ArmyPrivate fighting in Enduring Free-dom disappeared from his base inAfghanistan near the Pakistan bor-der. On July 18th, his identity wasrevealed when the Taliban releaseda video showing Pfc. Bowe R.Bergdahl, 23 of Hailey, ID. In thevideo, Bergdahl said that he was“scared I won’t be able to go home.”

The town of Hailey has been verysupportive of the Bergdahl family.They have covered the town in yel-low ribbons and have held manyevents, including a motorcycle rally,to help people remember that Boweis still being held captive. A sign atZaney’s Coffee House whereBergdahl worked as a Barista reads,“Get Bowe Back.”

Since his capture, an intensivesearch has been underway involv-ing both U.S. and Afghan forces.

A spokesman for the Taliban saidthey are waiting for a response totheir demand that the U.S. stopairstrikes in two regions of Afghani-stan to determine the fate ofBergdahl.

Lt. Cmdr. Christine Sidenstricker, aU.S. military spokeswoman in Kabulsaid, “Recovery efforts remain oneof the largest ongoing operationsand we are doing everything we canto get him back safely.”

Captain M. Scott

Speicher Laid to Rest

It has been 18 years since Capt.Michael “Scott” Speicher was shotdown over Iraq on the first night ofthe Persian Gulf War in 1991. Manypeople have been wearing a POWbracelet engraved with Speicher’sname to keep him in their heart andmind. Because of those that contin-ued generating awareness ofSpeicher’s status as a POW by wear-ing a bracelet or writing a letter, themilitary kept searching for him.

Unfortunately, on August 2, 2009the remains of Capt. Speicher werefound in Iraq near the location ofhis plane crash. This was not theoutcome we had hoped for, and ourheart goes out to the family andfriends of this American hero forthe sacrifice he made for this coun-try. Speicher was laid to rest onAugust 14th in the JacksonvilleMemorial Gardens during a privateservice.

If you have a bracelet and wouldlike to return it to the family, theyare requesting that you send it to:

Military AffairsVeterans & Disabled Services OfficeJacksonville City Hall117 W. Duval Street, Suite 175Jacksonville, FL 32202

Medicare

Reimbursement

Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), chairman ofthe House Veterans Affairs Com-mittee introduced legislation onJuly 28, 2009 that would allow VAto bill Medicare for third-party re-imbursements of eligible veteransfor nonservice-connected medicalconditions. Currently, VA is prohib-ited from billing Medicare for third-party reimbursements for the treat-ment of enrolled, Medicare-eligibleveterans for medical conditionsthat are unrelated to their military

News

Briefs

service. Since the 1990s, The Ameri-can Legion has strongly recom-mended Medicare reimbursementsto supplement VA’s health-care an-nual budget. Through congres-sional testimony and numerous in-terviews with the media, the Legionhas promoted Medicare reimburse-ment as a new revenue stream forVA. James Koutz, chairman of theLegion’s National Legislative Com-mission says, “The only criterionfor access to VA health care shouldbe honorable military service. Medi-care is just an insurance payer, nota health-care provider.” The mea-sure, “Medicare ReimbursementAct of 2009” (H.R.3365), has beenreferred to three House committeesfor consideration.

Veteran Statistics

Today, there are roughly 1.4 million

on active duty, less than half the

nearly 3.5 million people on active

duty we had at the end of the Viet-

nam War. The estimated population

of the United States on July 1, 2009

was 307,041,000. According to the

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),

226,706,000 are in the work force.

Throw in another 20,000,000 ille-

gal aliens (no one really knows with

certainty how many illegal aliens

are in the United States), and you

have a population base of roughly

327, 041,000 that is being defended

by 1.4 million. That equates to only

four tenths of a percent (.4%) of the

population is defending the other

99.6%. If you include the 1.3 mil-

lion in the Guard and Reserve who

are now used as if they were active

duty forces, there are a total of 2.7

million people defending the

327,041,000, or roughly eight

tenths of a percent (.8%) defending

the other 99.2%. In 1970, there were

over 45 million living veterans in

the United States. In 1999 here were

nearly 30 million veterans of which

18 million were in the work force.


27

Today, the BLS reports there are22,196,000 living veterans of which12,169,000 are in the work force.Depending on the survey, upwardsof 1,700 veterans now die each day!

This data has many ramifications.With 37 years of an all volunteermilitary, America now has two gen-erations of citizens that have noidea of what really goes on in themilitary and the importance of hav-ing a strong military.

This lack of understanding impactspolitical and social attitudes to-wards the military. The populationbase for veteran service organiza-tions is dwindling rapidly which iswhy many are changing their mem-bership rules in order to maintainmembership in a rapidly decliningdemographic environment.

Today, there are fewer defenders ofour freedoms living who under-stand the importance of maintain-ing a strong military. And withouta strong military, we cannot main-tain our freedoms, our free marketcapitalist economy and our consti-tutional republic.

~Source Vetjobs Veteran Eagle

WWII Prison Camp

Sawdust Breadsubmitted by Russ Gunvalson

Russ showed off his homemadeversion of sawdust bread at theScott Hosier WWII Roundtable.Russ, along with Ken Axelson andFrank Goplen were POWs in Europe.They were joined by Joachim Pusch,a German soldier who surrenderedin 1945 and John Gulbranson, whowas held with his family in the Phil-ippines.

Mix the following with a doughhook, if possible. If not, use apaddle.

DO NOT USE hand beaters or a whipas this mix is very stiff dough.Scrape sides several times so every-thing gets combined very well.

2-1/2 cups pumpernickel rye meal1 cup finely sliced canned beets(with all juice)1 cup sawdust½ teaspoon yeast3 Tablespoons molasses

After everything is mixed togetherwell, add 1 cup of flour, a smallamount at a time until the mixturecomes together in a dough ball.Keep mixing, but don’t add anymore than ½ additional cups offlour. I mixed it for 20-25 minutesafter the flour was in.

Pour a small amount of vegetableoil in a bowl, just enough to coatthe dough, cover and let sit for 3-4hours in a warm place.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Takedough out of bowl and shape intooblong loaf. DON’T push all the airout…this is not rising again.

Put the loaf on a baking stone or acookie sheet. Sprinkle a little corn-meal on the stone or sheet first.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-50minutes.

Russ Gunvalson4801 36th Ave, NWRochester, [email protected]

Health Care Reform

In ongoing discussions abouthealth-care reform, PresidentBarack Obama offered assurance tothose receiving medical carethrough Tricare or the Departmentof Veterans Affairs: Your benefitsare safe. Eligibility for health care

under VA or Tricare “will not beaffected by our efforts at broaderhealth-care reform,” Obama toldmilitary reporters at the WhiteHouse. Obama said he also madethat point clear after meeting withthe American Legion’s nationalcommander, Dave Rehbein, andexecutive director, Peter Gaytan. “Iwant to make sure that messagegets out to our veterans,” the presi-dent said. “I think it’s very impor-tant to get the message out: If youare in the VA system and are happywith your care, great. We have nointention of changing your eligibil-ity.” While a new, national programwon’t force anyone to changehealth-care systems, Obama said itcould offer benefits or geographicconvenience that might make someveterans elect to join it. A nationalprogram “will actually give themmore choices, more flexibility,” hesaid.

Obama cited problems in U.S.health-care delivery systems, whichhe said cost more than other coun-tries’ programs and too often de-liver less.

The VA “has probably made moreprogress than most systems outthere in increasing quality” duringthe past 25 years, and could helpshed light on better ways of deliv-ering health care, he said. But thecost of delivering that care is higheven at VA and Tricare consumes abig piece of the DefenseDepartment’s budget, he said.

With the fiscal 2010 budget reflect-ing the largest VA funding increasein 30 years, Obama told AmericanLegion leaders he is committed toensuring that VA providesAmerica’s veterans the highest-quality health care possible.

news briefs

continued...


28

American Ex-Prisoners of WarWebsite Biography

www.axpow.org

If you are not a current member of AXPOW,

you must submit documentation of your POW status.

Name

Nickname

Address

City/State/Zip Telephone

Email

Conflict and Theater of Operation

Branch of Service Unit

Where were you captured? Date captured

POW camps you were held in

How long were you a POW? Date liberated

Medals received

Job in the militaryAfter military service

Submit 1 or 2 photographs (color or black and white).Biography:(please type or print)

SEND TO: American Ex-Prisoners of War3201 East Pioneer Parkway #40Arlington, Texas 76010-5396

Please include your check for $65 payable to AXPOW.

If you have any questions, please contact Clydie Morgan, National Adjutant, at 817-649-2979;[email protected]


29

Veterans Day for VeteransAs we all know, US Congress set aside November 11 of each year to recognize our country’s greatest heroes, ourveterans. However, many veterans are not allowed the day off from work to accept our gratitude for their sacri-fices. Many are “blue-collar” workers that don’t have the day off, and in some cases are forbidden from taking theday off to participate in Veteran’s Day activities. I heard one man share a story that he asked for the day off andwas told he could not have it. When he stated that he would take it without pay he was told that if he took the dayoff there would not be a job waiting for him on his return.

We are circulating petitions to bring awareness to this issue. We simply want a veteran to be able to take Veteran’sDay off, a day created for him/her, without penalty from their employer. Our government felt that it was impor-tant enough to set aside November 11 to honor our veterans; we only want the right for all veterans to be able toparticipate in recognition activities if they choose.

I am attaching a copy of the petition we are using. We hope to be able to show our State Representatives andSenators that there is indeed an interest in this cause. We are getting interest and signatures from veteransand interested citizens across the country. We would like to ask AXPOW members to obtain as many signa-tures as possible by approaching local chapters of Veteran organizations, neighbors, and friends. Petitions can be returned to me at the address on the petition.

VETERAN’S DAY For VETERANS (Also)We the undersigned call on our elected Representatives in the United States to amendFed. Law 5 U.S.C. See 6103 and Pub. Law 94-97 (Stat.479). To Wit: Being that theVeteran who served in turn will be Honored by having the choice of being off from theiremployment on Veteran’s Day.Organization:________________________________________________________Please return completed petitions to: VDFVA Committee, Susan Vinson,

Past Secretary-Treasurer, Palmetto Chapter AXPOW 606 Old Friars Rd. Columbia, SC 29210

Please sign on top line and print your name on the line underneath.

1._______________________________.________________________________2._______________________________________________________________________3._________________________________________________________________________4._____________________________________________________________________________5._________________________________________________________________________6._____________________________________________________________________________7.__________________________________________________________________________8._____________________________________________________________________________9.________________________________________________________________________10_____________________________________________________________________________11.________________________________________________________________________

12._____________________________________________________________________________13.________________________________________________________________________14._____________________________________________________________________________15._______________________________________________________________________16._____________________________________________________________________________17.________________________________________________________________________18._____________________________________________________________________________19.________________________________________________________________________20._____________________________________________________________________________21.________________________________________________________________________22._____________________________________________________________________________

23.________________________________________________________________________24._____________________________________________________________________________25.________________________________________________________________________26.____________________________________________________________________________27._______________________________________________________________________28.____________________________________________________________________________29.________________________________________________________________________30._____________________________________________________________________________

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

30

Remote Recruiting

My daughter lives in Washington D.C.. I live in Tucson. How am I get-ting her involved in AXPOW?

I sent her an email, asked her toread my three articles in the Bulle-tin, and gave her the name of a lo-cal commander. I was not at all sureit would work.

To my surprise, she read the ar-ticles, and contacted the com-mander to arrange a chapter visit. Ialso did the same for my otherdaughter in Portland, Oregon, andshe has done the same. The reasonI was surprised is that I have notshared my involvement in AXPOWvery much, and their response dem-onstrated their pride in their father.

I ask that if you have not donesomething like this that you try it.It is important, because I assumethat the majority of us have chil-dren and grandchildren who liveremotely.

By the way, I also offered to paytheir first year membership fee ifthey are interested in participationafter their first visit. Here are thespecifics to augment the deal:

Tell them to go to our web sitewww.axpow.org

Click “Bulletin Archives”

Click the March/April issue, andread KEEPING AXPOW STRONG.

You mighy also suggest they readmy articles in the May and June is-sues.

Click the October 2008 issue whichlists all of our chapter command-ers.

Tell them to pick the commandernearest them, and arrange a chap-ter meeting visit. (Hopefully, chap-ters will accomodate our employedchildren and grandchildren by ar-ranging regular meeting on week-ends.)

OK, this is not easy, but shoot, weare in critical need of survival, andthis procedure will definitely help.If you are not a computer dynamo,just send your kids a copy to thisarticle. Like my girls, they will beproud to follow through.

Incidentally, if you have any ideasto recruit, let me know. We will pub-lish it in the Bulletin. My address,etc. is on the 4th page of the Bulle-tin.

Lew SleeperNational Director, SW

(address on page 4)

From: Scott Brinkman[mailto:[email protected]]Sent: Thursday, July 16, 20097:25 PM

To: Clydie MorganSubject: Hello

I stumbled upon your web page andhave spent the whole day at workreading the Bio’s of the POW’s. Iwork for Microsoft and I have beenintensely glued to reading each Bioposted on your site today becauseits so interesting I just can’t stopreading. I’ve never experienced orbeen exposed to anything like whatI have been reading today. I havenot been in the military, but some-

times wish, if I could do it all overagain, I’d always wanted to be amilitary jet fighter pilot. As ayounger generation I find militaryhistory addicting to learn about.

Thank you for sharing this info onyour site, most people don’t knowwhat happened to these guys asP.O.W’s or what they must havegone through. I’ve never met anyof the people I just read about butI do feel I know something aboutthem now, information that I wontforget. I look at their pictures andthink to myself how strong, physi-cally & mentally these people are.Its truly amazing, these are realhero’s! I can’t tell you how much Iadmire these people and their ac-complishments especially afterreading what they went through!

From a productive standpoint Ididn’t get much done today atwork, but I walked away feeling ful-filled that I took the time and readabout people that truly inspired me!I just wanted to send you a noteletting you know I read your website and found it very motivating,very informative, and it reached outand touched me.

Please tell your chapter membersthat there are people like me, whodo read this information (BIO’s),and who want to know, and whocare, and tell them how much werespect and admire them for whatthey have given to future genera-tions.

Respectfully yours,Scott BrinkmanRedmond, WA

I’m a 46 year old American male(born 1962), I have three boys ages16, 11, & 9, and have been marriedfor over 18 years

members’

forum


31

Suitable for framing, thiscertificate of captivity, printed on8½” x 11” quality paper, proudlydisplays your history as a prisonerof war. Each certificate backgroundis personalized to the theater ofoperation. To purchase thiscertificate from AXPOW, send yourname, service number, branch ofservice, unit when captured, POWnumber (if known), camp namesand locations, along with your

payment of $25.00. You may

include a picture with your order.

Please order from NationalHeadquarters. If you are orderingat Convention, you can place yourorder in the Merchandise Room.

Certificate of Captivity

request for membership application

American Ex-Prisoners of War

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:_____________________________________________________________

Membership is open to US Military and Civilians capturedbecause of their US citizenship and their families.

Do NOT send dues with this request for an application

Life Membership RatesUnder 35 $36036-50 $30051-60 $18061 & over $120Spouse of life member $ 40Annual Membership Rates Single Membership $ 40Husband & wife $ 50

Mail to:

American Ex-Prisoners of War

3201 East Pioneer Parkway, #40Arlington, TX 76010-5936

(817) 649-2979 voice

(817)649-0109 fax

e-mail:[email protected]

Please send donations to:National Headquarters, 3201 EastPioneer Parkway, Suite 40,Arlington, TX 76010. You can alsomake a donation with a credit card(MasterCard or Visa). Just call 817-6492979. Thank you!

Contributions are nottax deductible at this time

contributions


32

GENERAL FUND

In memory of Bette Witte, by MaryAnn AndersonIn memory of Donald Dorman, byRuth DormanIn memory of Edwin Grzywa, bySchlumberger IPCIn memory of Frank Porell, by CarolPorell CocheresIn memory of Gordon Cox, byDianne & Terry Hanlon (MillerFord/Nissan)In memory of Joseph Venti Sr, byRichard & Roberta VentimigliaIn memory of Julia Markworth, byMaurice MarkworthIn memory of Paul Jurkovic, byDorothy JurkovicIn memory of Staff Sgt PaulBertram, by Mable BertramKennett, Mary Beth, LaPlata MDIn memory of John ‘Jack’ Evans, byJoan Brown, Renee Watkins & Fam-ily, Ronald Brown & Family, RobertBrown & Family and Nancy Hummel& FamilyIn memory of John ‘Jack’ Evans, byRuth & Bill Dormer, Binny & AndyElmes and Christ & Jeff Avey &FamilyIn memory of Joseph Venti Sr, byColumbia Bank, Fair Lawn NJ

In memory of Joseph Venti Sr, byLeisure Village West Bocce ClubIn memory of James A Caire, byRobert L Seitzinger

BULLETIN

Haskel Yadlovker, Flushing NY

LEGISLATIVE FUND

In memory of Irving Day Jr, by theDepartment of Maryland

MEDSEARCH FUND

North Central Ohio ChapterIn memory of Henry Dunning, byPhyllis DunningIn memory of Donat ‘Don’ Gouin,by the Northwest Central OhioChapterIn memory of Elizabeth Woehlke, bythe Department of Maryland

NSO

In memory of Eric Biegler, by hisloving widow, RoseIn honor of Fred Campbell, by Sa-rah Jane RodgersIn memory of Luther Oakes, by theDepartment of Georgia

VOLUNTARY FUNDING

Louis StaudenmeierPNC Jim & Chonita Cooper

In memory of Kenneth Gordon, byson, Randy GordonTacoma ChapterIn memory of Bill Fornes, by Laurel& Ray ReiersonIn memory of our departed mem-bers, by the Vermont Chapter #1Mr/Mrs Merton L JessenMaurice MarkworthHelen P BeavenEdward H WallnerWalter TylerErnest & Edith SmithWR MathenyFrank EffingerNicholas ZenderGrant & Erma Jean BirdMr/Mrs Charles McGheeJosephine & George WhiteKenneth Hanson

Francis PlumlyRobert William BuntinRobert SeitzingerMarie BussingMable E BertramSalvatore & Camille CrivelliPL HertensteinWayne & Margaret PorterPJ RushaLincoln Hanscom, Somersworth,NHWS TylerGS & EP HarveyMr/Mrs Vernon BrumfieldDonald & Audrey DugmoreKachadour & Marilyn AvedisianJohn & Eileen O’BrienJohn MathisonEarl MilesLarry & Ethelyn BernsO Watts & Mary Lydia GillsKeith GintherHenry SkubikSalvatore & Camille CrivelliDean & Dorothy ChristensenFrederic & Patricia MillerRuth H WannLewis Sleeper, Jr.Felice & Doris C GabrieliGerald HanusBenjamin & Lila NienartEdward H WallnerJ Donald GriffinRuth E Dorman in M/O DonaldDormanRobert William BuntinEugene & Irene OstrowskiSarah Cooper in M/O C.L. CooperJohn J CrummeyGordon O HoffmanM & D GlasserAlmo McElmurryDept. of IowaAlex & Patricia DrapesKachadour & Marilyn AvedisianElmer & Betty BrockmeierStanley & Marion TuhoskiMr/Mrs WE PurdyWarren & Bette EdrisCochise ChapterDonald & Sallie DurantVictor & Avis BreiteHorace HosbachRuth & Arthur RubensteinHenry SkubikSalvatore & Camille CrivelliDean & Dorothy ChristensenFrederic & Patricia Miller

taps

Please submit taps notices to: Cheryl Cerbone, 23 Cove View Drive, South Yarmouth, MA 02664

Ex-POW BulletinJuly/Aug 2009

33

ANGLEN, George W, age 84 of Co-lumbia, MO passed away July 12,2009. Shortly after graduatingfrom high school he enlisted in theAAF. After his earning his wings,he trained as a pilot and his crewwas known as “Anglen’s Angels”.He flew combat missions from En-gland over Germany. After beingshot down, he became a POW inGermany mainly at Stalag Luft 3. Hesurvived the 4 month march fromPoland to Moosburg Germany andwas liberated by Gen Patton’sforces. He is survived by his wifeof 59 years, Mary Alice, and threesons. He was a member and trea-surer of Central MO Chapter AX-POW.

BLALOCK, William T, of Salisbury,NC died July 25, 2009. A veteran ofthe U.S. Army, he was an ex-POWof World War II. He was chaptercommander of the Hampton RoadsPOW chapter. Survivors include hisloving wife of 63 years, VirginiaEstelle, 2 sons, 2 grandchildren, 1great-grandchild, 1 brother, 1 sis-ter and nieces and nephews.

BRANDANGER, Merlyn, 86, ofPequot Lakes, MN died May 26,2009. He was a member of LakesRegion Chapter, AXPOW (previouslyof Florida). He served with the AAFduring WWII; he was captured inGermany and held 13 months. Heleaves his wife, Shirley, 4 childrenand 7 grandchildren.

BRAUN, William R. “Bill” 87, of OldFort, NC passed away June 8, 2009.During WWII, he was assigned tothe 15th AF, 461st BG, 764th BS. Hewas shot down on a mission overPloesti, Rumania and he was cap-tured. Bill served as commander ofthe WNC Chapter AXPOW. He issurvived by his wife, Marilyn.

BRINSER, John William, of Greeley,Colorado, died July 6, 2009. As-signed to the 15th AF, 99th BG, 347th

BS as a B-17 pilot, he was shot downand held as a POW in Luft 1. He issurvived by his wife, Lorna, 1daughter, 1son, 3 stepsons, 24grandchildren and 7 great-grand-children.

BURNS, Herbert, of Rio, Wisconsinpassed away April 12, 2009 at theage of 91. He was serving in theArmy in the Philippines in WWII; hesurvived the Bataan Death Marchand 3 ½ years of captivity. Survi-vors include his beloved wife of 50years, Marjorie and a large ex-tended family and friends.

CAIRE, James A., 90, of Biloxi, MSdied June 17, 2009. During WWII,he served with the AAF as a mem-ber of the 27th BG. He was a survi-vor of the Bataan Death March and40 months of captivity in the Phil-ippines and Japan. Jim was a lifemember of AXPOW, the MS GulfCoast Chapter and ADBC. He leaveshis devoted wife of 68 years, Annaand two sons.

COPE, Ruby Sumner, 82, of Chat-tanooga, TN died June 25, 2009. Shewas preceded in death by her hus-band, ex-POW Fred. Ruby and Fredwere married 52 years before hisdeath. She was a life member ofAXPOW and the Chattanooga Chap-ter. She is survived by 2 daughters,1 son, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

CREECH, Ruby Grady died July 14,2009 in Goldsboro, NC. She wasa member of the Coastal PlainsChapter in North Carolina. Rubywas the wife of the late MelvinRudolph Creech. She leaves 2daughters and 1 son.

CRISSMAN, H. Glenn “Cris”, 85 ofAberdeen, NC died February 21,2009. He was in the Army Air Corpsas a tail gunner on a B-24 in the739th bomb squadron of the 454th

bombardment group during WWII.He was a POW for almost 6 monthsin Germany. He was married toElaine for 63 years. They had 7 chil-dren, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

FELSEN, Albert “Pancho”, 89 yearsold, resident of Sierra Vista, AZpassed away June 8, 2009. Al was aWWII veteran and served in theArmy Air Corps in the Philippines.When Japan captured those islands,some survivors of the defendingarmies were interned in Manchuriaand Japan. Al was a prisoner for 3½years, and was moved around to 8Japanese prison camps. He servedhard labor at Nippon Steel Mill. Hewas a member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Order of thePurple Heart, and American De-fenders of Bataan and Corregidor.He is survived by Dorothy, his wifeof 38 years, 2 sons, 6 daughters and3 grandchildren.

FONTAINE, Paul J. 86, ofCumberland, RI died May 2, 2009.He was the husband of the lateUrsula Fontaine. Paul was a POWduring WWII in Germany. He was amember of the Rhode Island Chap-ter, AXPOW. He is survived by 2sons, 3 grandchildren and severalnieces and nephews.

FRANKEL, Daniel, of Roswell, GApassed away March 23, 2009. Hewas captured while serving with the8th AF, 384th BG and held as a POW

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

34

taps continued...

in Stalag 7A. He was a life memberof AXPOW. He leaves his belovedwife of 60 years, Edna, 1 son, 1daughter, 4 granddaughters and 1great-grandson.

GIORDANO, Carl F ., 92, ofCrestline, OH died April 28, 2009.Carl was part of that special grouplanding at Omaha Beach; he foughtin three battles during the crossingof the Moselle River before beingcaptured. He was held at Stalag IIICuntil liberation. Carl was a life mem-ber of AXPOW. His wife, LillianGIORDANO passed away 2 weeksafter Carl on May 13, 2009. Theyare survived by 1 son, 2 daughters,4 grandchildren and 2 great-grand-daughters.

GOFF, Karl G., 87, of Bradenton, FLand Burton, OH died June 9, 2009.He served with the 703rd BS, 445th

BG, 8th AF based in Tibbenham, En-gland. His plane was shot downover Germany and he was captured,then force-marched before endingup in Stalag 7A. He was a memberof the Manasota Chapter, AXPOW.His wife of 60 years, Barbara, 4 chil-dren, 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren survive him.

HARRALSON, Richard A., belovedhusband of Naomi, passed awayApril 20, 2009 at the age of 89. Hewas captured on Corregidor May 6,1942, then held at Cabanatuan andOsaka Japan where he was forcedinto slave labor for Mitsubishi. Hewas a life member of AXPOW. Inaddition to his wife, Richard leaves2 sons, 1 daughter, 7 grandchildrenand 7 great-grandchildren. He wasdearly loved by all.

HEROLD, Clement William “Bill”,passed away June 17, 2009 inSylacauga, AL. He is survived byJoanne, his loving wife of 58 years,

his sister, Betsy, 4 children, 8 grand-children and 5 great-grandchildren.Bill was born in Baguio, P.I. on Oct.2, 1927. Bill, Betsy and their par-ents were interned in the Philip-pines during WWII at CampHolmes and Camp John Hay, Baguo.Bilibid Prison, Manila. He had beena life-member of AXPOW and PastCommander of the Cheaha Chap-ter, Alabama.

HOOVER, Laura W., of Verona, MSdied May 27, 2009. Laura was anactive member of the Northeast MSChapter, AXPOW. She and her latehusband, Otho were friends of Prin-cess Katherine of Rumania whohelped so many POWs in that areaduring their internment. Survivorsinclude 1 son and 2 grandchildrenand many friends.

JACKSON, Clark B. died July 30,2009. He served in the 8th AirForce as bombardier on B-17s fly-ing out of England until his aircraftwas shot down on Black Thursday,Oct. 14, 1943. He was a POW atStalag Luft III. Clark was a lifemember of AXPOW and the 49ersChapter in Sacramento. He is sur-vived by one son and three grand-children.

JONES, William H of Bethany, OKpassed away June 12, 2009. Bill wascaptured while serving in the Armyin the Battle of the Bulge. He leaveshis wife Bernice, 1 daughter, 1 sonand 3 grandchildren.

KUTZ, John G., Sr., 89 died April21, 2009. He was assigned to C Co.,151st Platoon, 326th Engineers Air-borne Combat Paratroopers, 101st

Airborne. He was a paratrooper onD-Day; he was captured in the Battleof the Bulge and was a POW untilhe escaped. He is survived by hisbeloved wife of 62 years, Olive, 1son, 2 daughters, 10 grandchildrenand 15 great-grandchildren.

LARSON, Kathleen, 85, of ParkRapids, MN passed away May 8,2009. She was a member of LakesRegion Chapter, AXPOW, serving as

its Chaplain for many years. Shewas the widow of ex-POW MelvinLarson, who was captured in theBattle of the Bulge. She leaves 6children, 1 sister and 11 grandchil-dren.

LEWIS, Frank Eugene, of Mobile, ALdied Jan. 30, 2009. He was a proudAmerican and a brave soldier,proud of being an ex-POW. He ismourned by his wife of 57 years,Melba, and 2 sons.

LILLIGREN, James P., member ofthe Fresno Chapter #1, passed awayJune 27, 2009. He was 87. DuringWWII, he served in Europe with theAAF. He was a POW there. Jameswill be missed by his many friends.

LOVELL, Cloral, of Durant, Okla-homa, died in July, 2009. A mem-ber of the Dallas Metroplex Chap-ter, Cloral served in the 22nd TankBn, Medical Detail. He was prede-ceased by his wife, Letha.

MEDFORD, Howard D., 88, mem-ber of the James L Hale MemorialChapter, AXPOW died June 21,2009. During WWII, he served inEngland with the 8th AF. He wasshot down and taken prisoner. Sur-vivors include 1 grandchild and 2great-grandchildren.

NORRIS, Alvi D. of Danville, ILpassed away June 17, 2009. He wascaptured in Korea while servingwith the Army; he was held inCamps 3 & 5 for 33 months. Alviwas a member of AXPOW. He leaveshis wife of 33 years, Marlene, 3 chil-dren and many grandchildren.

OPP, Harry, of Hazelton, ND, diedMay 11, 2009. A radio operator andwaist gunner on a B-24 bomber, hewas shot down over the Ploesti oilfields. He was captured and heldPOW until 1943. He was precededin death by his wife, Irene.

PACK, Okey Dent, 92, of Hunting-ton, WV passed away June 16, 2009.He served in the Army Air Force andwas captured on Bataan; he en-

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

35

taps continued...

dured 3 ½ years in POW camps.Survivors include 1 daughter, 2sons, 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces,nephews, cousins and friends.

PETROSKI, Henry “Hank”, of Ak-ron, Ohio, died July 8, 2009. He wasa top turret gunner in the 12th AF,2nd BG, 429th BS. He was held inStalags 17A and 17B. He is survivedby his wife, Marilyn.

POCHE, Elmo James , 85, ofPowhatan, LA passed away April 19,2009. He was a US Army veteran inWWII; he was captured and held inStalag 2B in Germany for 18months. He leaves his loving wifeof 62 years, Betty Jo, 1 daughter 1son, 8 grandchildren, 1 great-grand-son and 2 brothers.

REYNOLDS, Eleanor, of Worcester,MA died July 1, 2009 surroundedby family. She is survived by herloving husband and partner of 69years, Leo J Reynolds, 4 daughters,2 sisters, 22 grandchildren, 26great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a large and lov-ing extended family. Eleanor was anactive member of the Departmentof Massachusetts and the CentralMA Chapter, AXPOW. She will bemissed by her family and friends.

ROBINSON, Chauncey L, 88, of HotSprings, AR passed away July 17,2009. Bob enlisted in the Navy inJanuary, 1941; he was stationed inthe Philippines. He was captured inManila, then held in Bilibid Prison,Cabanatuan, then later transferredby hellship to Japan, Camp #17,Fukuoka. Rob was a life member ofAXPOW. He leaves his loving wifeof 63 years, Gloria, and devoteddaughter.

RUBENSTEIN, Arthur L., 84, of Can-ton, OH died June 11, 2009. Heserved his country bravely as anArmy infantryman in the 78th Div.He was taken prisoner in the Battle

of the Bulge. Survivors include hisloving wife of 62 years, Ruth, 4 chil-dren and 9 grandchildren.

SALVATI, Peter E., 84, of Johnston,RI passed away June 27, 2009. Hewas an Army veteran of WWII; andan ex-POW for 15 months. Peter wasa member of the Rhode IslandChapter, AXPOW. He is survived by1 son, 2 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters and 1brother.

SPENCER, Albert E. , 84, ofHarrisville, RI died Aug. 29, 2006.During WWII, he served in the Armyand was captured in the Battle ofthe Bulge. He was a member of theRhode Island Chapter, AXPOW. Heleaves 1 son, 2 daughters, 1brother, 6 grandchildren and 1great-granddaughter.

SPRUIELL, Dewey L., of Tyler, TXpassed away May 25, 2009. He was86. During WWII, Dewey was cap-tured in the Philippines and was aBataan Death March survivor. Hewas a POW for 3 ½ years. He was agreat man and loved by many. Heis survived by one daughter, 5grandchildren and 10 great-grand-children.

STEPHENS, Pauline, widow offormer POW Roy Valton Stephens,died July 21, 2009 at the age of 84.She lived in Tahoka, TX and was amember of the Hub of the PlainsChapter, AXPOW. Roy was a POWin the Japanese theater of the war,and he was a member also of theSurvivors of Wake and Guam. Sheis survived by two children.

STEVENS, Ruby M. (Weatherbee),81, of Ashland, Ohio, died August9, 2009. A member of the NorthCentral Ohio Chapter, she was thewife of Porter Stevens, an Ex-POWin Germany.

SUBLETT, H.W. ‘Bill”, of Houston,Texas, formerly of Big Spring, diedAugust 1, 2009. Bill served hiscountry in the Marines. He was cap-tured on Corregidor and held cap-

tive 3 ½ years. Bill was an AXPOWlife member since 1982, and was amember of the Permian Basin Chap-ter. He is survived by two children.His wife, Lorraine, predeceasedhim.

SWEIBERG, James Joel , ofVancouver, WA passed away March15, 2009 at the age of 92. He was acarpenter on Wake Island when theisland was attacked. He and othercivilians immediately came to theassistance of the US Marines in de-fense of Wake. They were capturedon Dec. 23, 1941 and he spent 3years and 10 months in POW campsin China and Japan. His brother,Norman (who was captured onWake with him) survives; he alsoleaves 3 children and several grand-children.

TIMPANARO, Jack “Tippy”, 85, ofBrick, NJ died Feb. 3, 2009. Heserved with the 15th AF, 99th BG,346th BS, flying out of Italy. Hisplane was shot down and he wascaptured and held in Stalag Luft III.He was a member of the New Jer-sey Chapter. His wife, Virginia, 1son, 1 daughter and 2 grandchil-dren survive him.

UMSTOTT, Paul W., of McLean, VApassed away June 19, 2009 at theage of 85. During WWII, he servedin the Army with the 117th Mecha-nized Cavalry. He was captured inFrance and held in POW camps inGermany. Survivors include his wifeof 60 years, Carolyn, 2 daughters,2 sisters and 2 grandchildren.

VINSON, Ralph Dean of Whitneyand Waco, Texas passed away July3, 2009. He was 87 years old. Heserved in the 461st BG, 15th AF. Hisplane was shot down on Oct.3, 1944on a bombing mission over Munich.He survived the long march acrossGermany and Poland in the dead ofwinter. He leaves four sons and onedaughter.


36

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national chaplain

James H. Beaver

22644 Montego Bay Road

Abingdon, VA 24211

(276) 623-0875

Spiritual SightII Kings 6: 13-17

The King of Syria was pursuingElisha, the Man of God. He was toldthat Elisha was at Dothan. So theKing sent his army to Dothan tobring Elisha to him. When the Ser-vant of the Man of God was risenearly one morning and had goneforth; behold a host of Syria com-passed the city with horses andchariots. Elisha’s servant said untohim, What shall we do? Elisha an-swered and said, fear not for theythat be with us are more than theythat be with them. And he prayedand said, “Lord I pray thee, openmy servant’s eyes that he may see,”and the Lord opened the youngman’s spiritual eyes and behold the

mountain was full of horses andchariots of fire around Elisha.

Spiritual vision is so important; ithelps us beyond the natural and seein our minds, not only what is, butalso what can be. God gave the vic-tory over Syria.

Let us Pray:

Heavenly Father, we pray that youwould open our spiritual eyes thatwe may know you better and livefor you, a better life. AMEN.

WALLACE, Henry J. , 91, ofPawtucket, RI died April 20, 2009.He was captured while serving withthe Army Air Corps in the Philip-pines. He was a survivor of theBataan Death March and 3 ½ yearsimprisonment. He was a member ofthe Rhode Island Chapter, AXPOWand ADBC. He is survived by 1 son,3 daughters and 3 grandchildren.

WEATHERMAN, Betty H. 73, ofNorth Augusta, SC died June 11,2009. For 55 years, she was the lov-ing wife of Carl Weatherman. He isa Korean ex-POW, held in Camps 5& 3. She leaves behind 2 daughters,2 sons and 7 grandchildren.

WHITTENBURG, Floyd, of River-side, California, passed away No-vember 27, 2008. After enduringthe Bataan Death March, he spentthe next 3 ½ years in several prisoncamps. In December 1944, he wasloaded onto the Oroyku Maru, thelast Japanese hellship to leave Ma-nila. He arrived in Japan, then laterwas sent to prison camps in Jinsen,Korea, where he was liberated.

WITT, Bette, of Windom, Minne-sota, died July 6, 2009. A memberof the Prairieland Chapter, she wasthe widow of Kenneth, a POW inStalag 4B.

YOUNG, Laurence A. “Tiny” ofWeymouth, MA passed away Au-gust 6, at the age of 63. He was alsoa proud career member of the U.S.Army, M/Sgt-E-8 Retired, a deco-rated member of Special Forces,and a select member of the 56 Raid-ers of Son Tay in 1970. He was theloving father of one son, one daugh-ter, two grandsons and one sister.He was also beloved by manyfriends and family, and was the onewho was always doing for others,rather than for himself.

ZUMSTEIN, Harry James passedaway on July 16, 2009 at the age of85. He joined the Army in Decem-ber 1942. After WWII and his timeas a POW, he proudly continuedserving our country in the Air Forceuntil June 1974. Harry leaves be-hind his legacy of courage, honorand loyalty in God, family and coun-try. He is survived by his wife of57 years, Marjorie, 5 children, 7grandchildren and 2 great-grand-children. Harry was a Life Mem-

ber of the American Ex-Prisoners ofWar and a long time member of theTacoma Chapter.

Ode to the POW

I was young and I was braveMy nation calledAnd I was ready

I left my family and my friendsTrained to be my best

And become my nation’s elite

I flew the skiesTrod the land

And sailed the seas

I did my bestKept my word

And paid the price

I never asked whyNever gave up

And never lost faith

My prayers were answeredI finally came home

We all came home, one and all

For as long as we rememberThose who paid the ultimate

priceWe can truly say they all came

homeAl Padilla, San Diego VARO

Public Relations (Ret.)

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

37

AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR

VOLUNTEER FUNDING PROGRAMThe AXPOW Volunteer Giving Program parallels that of other VSOs, wherebythe entire membership, including life members, is given the opportunity to

contribute to the operation of our organization, based on ability and willingness to contribute.All contributions are to be sent directly to the National Treasurer to be used for the operation of the

organization. A complete accounting of contributors will appear in the Bulletin each month.

I am enclosing my contribution to support the operation of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.

$20.00 $30.00 $40.00 $50.00 $100.00 Other

Please circle one category:

Individual Chapter State Department(If chapter or department, please give name)

Name

Address

City/State/Zip

Phone #

Please make checks payable to American Ex-Prisoners of War - Voluntary FundingMail contributions to: Sonnie Bill Mottern

National Treasurer, American Ex-Prisoners of War279 Huckleberry Road, Bluff City, TN 37618; 423-341-4213

Donations are not tax-deductible at this time

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

38

50/50 drawingMarch 6, 2009

Arlington, Texas

1st Place Alice Gilligan $676.40New York, NY

2nd Place Robert Boebel $507.30Fox Lake, WI

3rd Place Victor Breite $338.20St. Louis, MO

4th Place John DeVere $169.10South Charleston, WV

These drawings help raise money needed for our operating ex-penses. They allow our members to participate in a very worth-while project, while giving them a chance to win. 50% of thedonations will be given to the General Fund and the other 50%are awarded as prizes. The amounts are determined after alldonations are received. You do not have to be present to win.Please make copies of the tickets on the other side and offerthem to your Chapter members, family and friends. We are ask-ing $5.00 for 6 tickets. These donations are not tax deductible.Fill out the tickets and send them and your donations to:National Headquarters ~ 50/50 Drawing3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, #40Arlington, TX 76010-5396

Ex-POW Bulletin

Sept/Oct 2009

39

They Experienced Living Hell as POWs.

Stan Tokarz’s brother John

survived Japanese prison labor

camps after enduring the

horrors of the infamous Bataan

Death March. It was after the fall

of the Philippines to the

Japanese invaders. Those

horrors and torture were never

discussed by John, who died in

1991. He just refused to talk

about World War II when it

came up, indicating that he and

the other POWs. had suffered a great deal.

Stan Tokarz researched the ordeals of capture, torture,

starvation, murder, brutality and confinement of the

many prisoners of Bataan because he feels our younger

generations must have a record of the hell on earth at

the hands of the Japanese that our survivors of Bataan

and life in the PO camps endured in WWII.

send check or money order:

$25.00Stanley R. Tokarz

70 Briarwood Circle

Worcester, MA 01606

On Monday morning, 8 Decem-ber 1941, we Brent School kidswildly cheered to a formation ofair planes flying directly to To-kyo,, “Go to there and bomb itto smithereens!”Several hours later we heardbig BOOM-BOOM and sawthick black smoke rising fromCamp John Hay... the AmericanArmy base in Baguio, Philip-pines. The sun played a trick on us so we couldn’t seethe big, round red “rotten fried egg” under the wings.Suddenly it dawned on us that those planes were Japa-nese. Twenty days later we were captured, ordered tomeet at Brent School for a 3 hour or 3 day meetingthat actually lasted for over three yreas of starvation,depravation, humiliation.Lacking utenslils in the Prison Camp, and for the fewbirthday parties, we had to tell our guests to bring CUP,PLATE AND SPOON.

BRING CUP, PLATE AND SPOON available from au-thor: Betsy Herold Heimke13820 Metcalf Ave. Apt 11320Overland Park, KS [email protected] $20.00 plus $4.00 S/H

The 106th InfantryDivision Association

Organized atCamp Lucky Strike 1945 active since

1946

If you are a former 106th Infantry Division vet, wereattached to the 106th,a relative of a 106th veteran, you

are eligible for membership in the Association.Annual Dues $10.00

The CUB Magazine is published three timesper year. Published since 1946.

Annual Reunions held yearly since 1947.

Contact: Lyle Beeth, Membership Chairman2004 Golf Manor RoadValico, FL 33594-7288

(813) 689-9621; fax: (813) 655-8952Toll Free (888) 644-8952

[email protected]

American Ex-Prisoners of War50/50 Drawing

PLEASE PRINTName:_______________________Telephone: ( )_______

Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________

Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing.Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated.

Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of Warand entry to: 50/50 Drawing

3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40Arlington, TX 76010-5396

You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct-ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.Thank you for your support. (3/10)



Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________







Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing.

Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated.Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of Warand entry to: 50/50 Drawing


You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct-ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.

Thank you for your support.



Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________







Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________







Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing.

Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated.Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of Warand entry to: 50/50 Drawing


You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct-ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.Thank you for your support. (3/10)Ex-POW Bulletin (3/10)

Sept/Oct 2009

40


41

National Headquarters3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40Arlington, TX 76010; (817) [email protected]

new members

Annual Members

Welcome Home

Terry O TimarGranada Hills CASon of John Timar, ETO

Harry ShevchuckJoyceWilmington DE29 Inf Div 175 Reg Co L 1 Platoon12, 12A, 7A10/4/44-4/30/45

Harry Cecil RodecapeFulton MO34 Reg 24 DivMarched, Escaped7/12/50-9/28/50

Life Members

Welcome Home

*new member to AXPOW

Morton GollinAlice 39560 39561Cathedral City, CAAAFLuft 3, 7A8/7/44-4/29/45

George H BennettAngeline 39562 39563Columbus, OH15AF, 340BG, 97BSLuft 19/13/44-5/11/45

Andrew M BardagjyHelen 39564 39565Austin, TXL Co 411 INF 103 DIVBaden Baden, 5A, Ludwigsburg,Dulag, 11B

Carolyn Howie BoylePeter 39566 39567San Francisco, CADaughter of Dorothy Howie

Born 3 months after mother wasliberated

Matthew Robert McGuireMarilyn I 39568 39569Sacramento, CA385 BG 550 BSLuft 13/23/44-5/15/45

Rose Marie Friend 39603La Vale, MDWidow of Chauncey FriendLuft 4

Matilda Krupitsch 39604Bethpage, NYWidow of Willy KrupitschLuft 1

Gene Qualmann *39605Sun Prairie, WISon of Helmuth Qualmann, ETO

Albert F Hamilton 39606Columbia SCCO K 351 Reg 88 Div7A9/24/44-7/21/45

Donald Everett McKenzie *39607

Acampo CAAAC13, 7°2/7/45-4/29/45

Elsie Valeski *39608Seymour CTWidow of StanleyWalesczykStalag 4, March6/23/44-5/45

Thomas D’Alcamo *39609Staten Island, NYCO C 180 Inf 45 DivStalag 2B9/30/44-4/12/45

Alexander KreizerAdrienne 28401 39610Fairfield, CTCO L 19 Reg 24 DivCamp 3 KOREA

Ellen Manganelli 39611Massena NYWidow of AnthonyManganelli

Harry Jay Carroll * 39612Lubbock TXSon of Harry J Carroll, ETO

Carol J Graff *39613Sacramento CAWidow of Arthur GraffFukuoka, Kashii, KuyshuIsland

Sherilynn Timar PaulRobert *39614 39615Granada Hills CADaughter of John Timar,ETO

AXPOW Vest Order Form(For members only)Name________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________

City, State, Zip ________________________________________________

Size (Men/coat, Women/chest measurement) __________________________

Long, Regular or Short_________________________________________

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Price: $55.00, includes shipping/handlingPlease allow 8-10 weeks for delivery.

Mail orders to:AXPOW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40Arlington, Texas 76010-5396

Official AXPOW Cap (specify size) 40.00Vinyl Cap Bag 3.00Maroon AXPOW Sport Cap 8.00Black Eagle Sport Cap 9.00Canvas Sport Cap (offwhite or tan) 10.00AXPOW Pocket Knife 13.00Necktie w/logo 25.00 (specify regular or pre-tied)AXPOW Logo Bolo Tie 15.00U.S. Flag Bolo Tie 19.00Mini POW Medal Bolo Tie 20.00Goldtone Bolo Bezel with cord 9.00Barbed Wire pin 3.00Life Member pin 5.00Crossed Flags Lapel pin 5.00Brooch pin 5.00EX-POW pin (goldtone) 5.00Logo pin 5.00POW Stamp pin 3.00Past Chapter Commander pin 5.00Past Department Commander pin 5.00

Eagle pin w/Barbed Wire 8.00(specify gold, silver or antique gold)Jeweled Flag Pin 30.00USA Jeweled Pin 15.00Logo Necklace 5.00 Logo Earrings (pierced or clip) 5.002” Medallion (for plaque) 5.00Vest Chainguard w/eagles 8.003” Blazer Patch 4.004” Blazer Patch 4.008” Blazer Patch 10.00CLOTH STRIPES (specify which title) 3.00Life Member · Chapter CommanderPast Chapter Commander · Chapter Adj/Treas ChapterAdjutant · Chapter TreasurerState Department CommanderPast State Dept. Commander · Department AdjutantDepartment Treasurer · Sr. Vice CommanderJr. Vice Commander · Chaplain · HistorianService Officer · Legislative OfficerPast Chapter Officer · Past Department Officer

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Name Badge Order Form(for members only)Actual size of badge issize of a credit card

PLEASE PRINT:Name __________________________________________Line 1 __________________________________________Line 2 __________________________________________

Name Badge with name & chapter and city: $6.00(includes shipping and handling)Ship to:Street ____________________________________________

City/State/Zip ______________________________________

Mail orders to:AXPOW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40Arlington, Texas 76010-5396

12x18 AXPOW Graveside Flag 10.003x5 ft. AXPOW Flag w/3-color logo with fringe, indoor use 60.00 with grommets, outdoor use 60.003x5ft. blackPOW/MIA flag, outdoor use 25.00AXPOW Metal License Plate Frame 7.00Aluminum License Plate 5.003” Vinyl Decal 1.003” Inside Decal 1.008” Vinyl Decal 6.0012” Vinyl Decal 10.00Bumper Sticker “Freedom – Ask us” 2.00AXPOW Wall Clock (includes battery) 20.00AXPOW Notecards (pkg of 25) 6.00Special Prayer Cards (pkg of 25) 6.00AXPOW Prayer Book 2.00Ladies Prayer Book 1.00AXPOW By-Laws 5.00POW Videotape – ETO or Pacific 11.00“Speak Out” Education Packet 6.00Canvas Totebag w/4” logo 15.00

Agua Fria Chapter

Vermont Chapter #1 members have been participating in the Rutland Loyalty Day Parade for 19

years. L/R: Richard Hamilton, Francis Angier, Bill Busier & Walt Zaluzny; PFC Cecil E Shay was

honored June 6, 2009 with a presentation of Military Awards which he had earned in WWII and

never received. The medals were presented by State Cmdr. Okla Edgell and SVC Edgewood Summit

of West Virginia; During the Great Depression, the men and women of Ashland, PA decided to

honor their mothers. They dedicated a statue of Whistler’s Mother on Sept. 4, 1938. Shown are:

Louis & Wynn Staudenmeier with grandsons Joseph & Patrick Labas.

Please print:

Name_____________________________________

Address___________________________________

City/State/Zip______________________________

Phone ( )_________________________________Please allow 4 weeks to make address corrections.

Mail to: National Headquarters, AXPOW, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway,Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010-5396Or fax: (817) 649-0109e-mail: [email protected]

All orders for products sold byAXPOW National Organization,

including dues/subscriptionsshould be mailed to:

American Ex-Prisoners of WarNational Headquarters


(817) 649-2979/ (817) 649-0109 faxe-mail: [email protected] collect calls, please

Subscription Rates -- non members$40.00 per year

Foreign subscriptions$50.00 per year

Now accepting MasterCard/Visa

Thank you for supporting the American Ex-POWS with your purchases of National Merchandise.

change of address formInclude your mailing label for address change or inquiry. If you are receiving duplicate copies,

please send both labels. If moving, please give us your new address in the space provided.

AXPOW Pocket Knife

11 function pocket knife includes a

stainless steel knife, screwdrivers

and much more!

AXPOW imprint is protected by an

epoxy dome, lasting a lifetime

Rubber grip ensures easy handling

individually gift boxed

folded knife measures 3 3/4”x1”

$13.00 plus s/h

American Ex-Prisoners of War · 2017-04-30 · 408 Fair Park Avenue West Union, OH 45693 (937)...

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Transcript of American Ex-Prisoners of War · 2017-04-30 · 408 Fair Park Avenue West Union, OH 45693 (937)...