May 6, 1942

[91Bear]

Yesterday, was the 69th anniversary of the fall of Corregidor in the Phillipine Islands in May 1942. My grandfather's brother was taken captive by the Japanese and held for the duration of the war. I have been thinking about him for the past few days. He survived the Cabanatuan prison camp, was placed on the Oryoku Maru, an overcrowded "hellship" for transport to Japan. That boat was bombed and sunk. He survived that too. He was moved to another boat, the Brazil Maru and finally placed in the POW camp, Fukuoka #17 on the Japanese island of Kyushu where he witnessed the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, 30 miles away. He was released on Sept. 15, 1945 and made it back home to Texas on Oct. 1, 1945 - his mother's 51st birthday.

If you ever think you have it bad, read about what those guys went through. It's amazing any of them survived. We have it so easy and should count our blessings every day.

Fukuoka POW camp
http://www.lindavdahl.com/

Oryoku Maru
http://www.oryokumaruonline.org/oryoku_maru_story.html

[Mancar1]

That is what makes every day great for Vicki and myself. No matter how bad we are having it, it could always be worse. We both have that philosophy and it turns bad days into great days. Not always easy, but it works for us. I have a friend who is 99, He went through the Death March. You are right on. Thanks for the post.

[mlheppl]

Your Grandfather was a lucky man. Many people did not survive being taken prisoner in WWII. His guardian angel must have been working tripple time!

[91Bear]

Actually, that was my grandfather's brother but my grandfather (the original owner of my truck, btw) was also a very lucky man. He was also in the Navy, and flew reconaissance over the Mediterrean in PBY's. His WWII experience was the polar opposite of his brother's. He was never in any combat and never in danger. It was a grand adventure for him - coming from a small Texas town. He was able to see the world and realize his dream of becoming a pilot. He talked about it often.

In contrast, Uncle Woody never talked at all about his captivity. His guardian angel made him a ship's cook and so he ended up being a cook in the prison camp. I'm sure that was a key to his survival. I can't imagine having the psychological strength to survive three and a half years of that treatment, though.

[Happy_Camper]

Great thread and links! Thanks for sharing.
I hope we never forget the sacrifices of our men, women and families who serve and support to make our country safe and strong.

[ezernut9mm]

god bless your gf's brother and god bless all of our veterans both past and current. they say that god only gives us what we can handle, i must be a wuss. so many have endured so much more than i.

[cdeal28078]

He is very lucky to have survived all of that to say the least. Must have had an Angle on his shoulder all of the way. Just to survive the death marches was a miracle. The Japanese were some of the cruelest people on the planet. Ranking right up there with the Nazis. A man starved of food and water with no shoes and he falls down they bayonet him so as not to waste a bullet. Man, what those people went through. I could see how once going through that nothing else in life could bother you too much. House payment late? Yeah right! That would really stress him a lot.
I truthfully admire our people that came through all of that and the ones that didn't are real heroes. Don't misread that, the ones that came home are heroes as well though they would say different.
Honestly the strongest generation
clint

[crazyhorse]

Thank you for posting this.
Your Grandfathers brother is a great hero. Honor him whenever you can. He gave so much.
I cannot even start to express how blessed I am to live in The United States of America.
Our ForeFathers have given their lives so we can be free and todays men & women
are giving their lives so we can remain free.
May God always Bless The U.S.A.
ALWAYS stand up for AMERICA.