EX-POW BULLETIN the official voice of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Volume 74 www .axpo w .or g Number 1/2
January/February 2017 DONATE TO AXPOW: https://www.gofundme.com/2d8rbt7s
We exist to help those who cannot help themselves
Operation Homecoming 1973 Veterans Day 2016~ Washington, DC table of contents Jan/Feb 2017
officers/directors 4 It has been 75 years since the Japanese entered Manila...72 years since commander/coo 5 Cabanatuan, Santo Tomas, Los Banos were liberated...49 years since ceo 6 the USS Pueblo was seized in North Korea...44 years since the Vietnam medsearch 7 War ceasefire went into effect...26 years since Kuwait was freed... legislative 11 andersonville 12 On the cover... namPOW 13 Operation Homecoming Facts pow/mia/events 14 civilian 15 591 POWs released to U.S. authorities…13 captured in Laos and re- events/news 16 leased in North Vietnam…122 Captured in South Vietnam…28 released members forum 18 in the South…94 released in the North …3 released in China…Released escape agencies 20 from enemy control prior to Operation Homecoming…76 early re- convention 22 leases…5 released by Laos…32 released by Cambodia …13 released new members 25 by North Vietnam …1 released by China …25 released by South Viet- contributions 26 nam …Escaped from enemy control prior to Operation Homecoming…32 taps/chaplain 27 early releases…30 captured in South Vietnam…2 captured in Laos …Es- raffle 31 caped from enemy control post Operation Homecoming…2 captured voluntary funding 33 in South Vietnam and escaped to Saigon. quartermaster 34 It was an overcast day, but beautiful to the POWs.
Publisher Larry Chesley had been a POW for more than seven years. In his book, “Seven Years in Hanoi”, he wrote: PNC Milton M Moore Jr “February 12th was a beautiful day in North Vietnam, - at least to 112 2965 Sierra Bermeja American POWs. We had received our going away clothes the night Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 before and cleaned up our rooms as well as we could. We assembled (520) 459-7295 in the courtyard and made our way under guard to the gate of the [email protected] Hanoi Hilton. This was the first time we had moved anywhere from there without being blindfolded and handcuffed.” Editor Cheryl Cerbone Camouflaged buses carried the men to the airfield in Hanoi. 23 Cove View Drive South Yarmouth, MA 02664 (508) 394-5250 [email protected]
Deadline for the Mar/Apr issue is Feb. 1, 2017 Please send all materials to the editor at the above address.
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 Bataan Relief Organization, Washington State non- profit corporation, “American Ex-Prisoners of War”, October 11, 1949, recorded as Document No. 133762, Roll 1, Page 386-392. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. Nationally Chartered August 10, 1982. Appearance in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the American Ex-Prisoners of War of the product or service advertised. The publisher reserves the right to decline or discontinue any such advertisement.
© 2017 American Ex-Prisoners of War Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2017 3 axpow officers & directors 2016-2017 National Headquarters 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy, #40, Arlington, TX 76010 (817) 649-2979 [email protected]
National Commander Senior Vice Commander Charles Susino, Jr. Edward “Ted” Cadwallader 136 Jefferson Street 9501 Nut Tree Court Metuchen, NJ 08840 Elk Grove, CA 95624 (732) 549-5775 phone & fax (916) 685-5369 (732) 713-8811 - Cell [email protected]
Chief Executive Officer Chief Operations Officer Chief Financial Officer David Eberly Clydie J Morgan Marsha M Coke 205 Roger Webster 3201 E Pioneer Pkwy #40 3201 E Pioneer Pkwy #40 Williamsburg VA 23185 Arlington TX 76010-5396 Arlington TX 76010-5396 (757) 253-9553 – Home (817) 649-2979 – Office (817) 649-2979 – Office (757) 508-8453 - Cell (817) 300-2840 - Cell (817) 723-3996 – Cell [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Jr. Vice Commanders
Cheryl Cerbone - Pam Warner Eslinger - Alice Gollin - Eastern Zone Central Zone Western Zone 23 Cove View Drive PO Box 117 37231 Turnberry Isle South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Hammon, OK 73650 Palm Desert, CA 92211 (508)394-5250 - Home (580) 821-1526 (760)610-1271 (508) 360-4090 - Cell [email protected] (760)610-1752 fax [email protected] algo11736@gmailcom
Directors
Charles A. Susino David Eberly Benny Rayborn Jan Williams 951 Gates Ave. 205 Roger Webster 1111 Highway 29 4353 Bending Point Piscataway, NJ 08854 Williamsburg, VA 23185 Wiggins, MS 39577 Guthrie, Ok 73040 (732)463-8355 (757) 253-9553 (601) 928-9200; (580) 821-2376 (732)221-0073-Cell (757) 508-8453 - Cell (601) 270-0678, cell [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Milton ‘Skip’ Moore Ben Garrido 2965 Sierra Bermeja 6813 W 60th Street Sierra Vista AZ 85650 Tulsa OK 74107 (520) 459-7295 – Home (951) 313-9838 (520) 249-7122 – Cell [email protected] [email protected] International Bowling Museum and news Hall of Fame Explore, play, and bowl! Located just from across the street from Six Flags, the International Bowling Museum is loaded with interactive fun and hq world-class exhibits.
Clydie Morgan K1 Speed Chief Operating Officer For the best karting in the Dallas- Fort Worth area, look no further than K1 Speed! Our indoor go-kart Now is the time to begin making racing center, situated just across your plans to come to Arlington, from Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Texas in June. It’s the annual con- Arlington, is a world-class entertain- National Commander vention and AXPOW family re- ment venue and unlike any karting union. There is plenty to do with center you’ve visited before. Charles Susino, Jr. your kids and grand-kids and the hotel rates could not be better! AT&T Stadium Art Tour There are amusement parks, wa- Our stadium art tour is a creative and ter parks, museums, and music educational opportunity for all ages. The very best to you and your family venues. You can take tours of the Throughout the tour, you will ex- on this Holiday Season and wishing sports arenas located just a couple plore many different areas of the all a safe and healthy New Year. For of miles from the Hilton. We even stadium including the Main Con- many of us, we establish New Year have free trolley transportation to course and club locations to see resolutions and new directions for most of the attractions around these monumental pieces. ourselves and our family. Arlington. Just show the driver your pass and climb aboard. Come The Planetarium at UT Arlington For AXPOW, we established a new old and young and reunite with The Planetarium at UT Arlington has direction honoring the wishes of the your longtime friends. membership vote last year to transi- a 60 ft diameter dome, and recently upgraded to become the only plan- tion the organization as a result of Here are just a few of the etarium in the state with a Digistar declining membership and funding. adventures you can have! 4 system with DLP projectors. The While work continues on that initia- Dallas Cowboys Stadium planetarium can project the stars as tive with the transition team lead by Attend an event or plan a tour at they look in the real sky as well as David Eberly, it is comforting to me Dallas Cowboys Stadium, just min- immerse the audience into a full that our future is being well thought utes from our hotel. and respectful of all ex-prisoners of dome animation show. war. It would be negligent to do any- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor thing less. This is the window in time Louis Tussaud’s Palace of Wax & Just down the street from our where we still have the human and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! hotel, the largest water park in financial resources to map this tran- Seven minutes from the Hilton Ar- North Texas with attractions that sition. I am further optimistic about lington, with more than 200 contem- cover over 47 acres. the early reports that I have received porary and historic wax figures, in- involving initiatives to reduce oper- cluding life-like versions of U.S. ating costs which are the first steps Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Presidents and your favorite movie in the transition and partnering with Catch a game at the home of the stars. Then, find your way through the National Prisoners of War Mu- American League Champs while Ripley’s Mirror Maze, with an endless seum at Andersonville to serve as the staying at the Hilton Arlington. array of mirrored paths, dead ends legacy centerpiece. I am proud to and continuous circles. serve as your Commander during this Six Flags over Texas important time in our history. This 212-acre theme park is lo- See you here! June 22-25, 2017! cated a short drive from our Ar- Clydie, Marsha, Donna, Sally —Remember those that have lington hotel. sacrificed to protect our freedom— Flight Deck Trampoline Park Flight Deck Trampoline Park is Ex-POW Bulletin DFW’s hottest destination for fam- Jan/Feb 2017 ily fun! 5 loved ones, and others I so deeply next of kin and recorded history. admired throughout my career. And AXPOW has been a champion to from the CEO so at the magic hour, we clasp to- many—pressing for benefits and gether and sing for (the sake of) old recognition. Fortunately, since times, Robert Burns’ “Auld Lang 1991, less than 35 Americans have Syne” Memories are often the tie been held as prisoners of war, and that binds. the battlefield continues to evolve; our work is waning, but our mission AXPOW memories bind us together is ever so important. as a family organization and bring together individuals who may have Dickens’ wrote of two cities, but I passed lifetimes in the same camp remind you of the reality we face or prison cell. Past conventions sold and while we cherish the traditions out most city hotels and banquets of the past we must open our minds held in aircraft hangers brought to- to the coming of a new year and gether attendees from our 32,000 the opportunities 2017 will bring to members. Hundreds of returnees us. David Eberly (POWs) from WWII exchanged hugs and told stories into the late night. This year our organization will tackle 205 Roger Webster Those memories celebrated re- a most difficult transition. Spawned Williamsburg VA 23185 newed opportunity while others by the realization that our member- (757) 253-9553 – Home were rooted in camaraderie during ship has rapidly dwindled and our (757) 508-8453 - Cell unimaginable times—they will never financial glory days are past. The [email protected] be forgotten either. In contrast to Board is committed to the concept those conventions, we booked only of preserving the POW legacy twenty rooms last summer in Arling- through an association with The Memories, Traditions ton, and sadly only three of the National POW Museum. I am encour- and Transitions Greatest Generation were there to aged by the words of our National offer counsel. Commander, and I ask that you em- “It was the best of times, it was the brace the future. worst of times…” wrote Charles Our traditions also serve as an un- Dickens as he introduced the liter- common thread and form the foun- ary world to A Tale of Two Cities. dation upon which our legacy must In our times, these words serve as be continued through cascading David a monocle of our personal family and of our organizational family.
As you read this issue, another holi- day season has passed: our Christ- mas tree has been put out on the deck and smothered with grain for the Winter birds, the last sugar cookie has been eaten, and finally, the last rerun of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is over. Our fam- ily traditions and the cards from friends around the world are price- less memories and they mark the celebration as we end another cal- endar year. But as we age, some traditions bring not joy but sadness as friends and family—our heroes, our mentors, and our grands move on. Like you, this year, I too lost Vt Ch #1 members honored by theVT National Guard on POW/MIA Ex-POW Bulletin Recognition Day 9/16/16. FromLeft VNG Adjutant General Steven Jan/Feb 2017 Cray; Clyde Cassidy, featuredspeaker; Harry Howe, Richard Hamilton, J. Francis Angier,William Busier and Governor-elect 6 Phil Scott. pow medsearch nso Marsha Coke, Chairman Ruth Powell, Director e-mail: [email protected] 191 Florence Road 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, Suite 40 Waltham, MA 02453 Arlington, TX 76010 781-687-2821 office (817) 649-2979 781-296-6307 cell Healthy Joint Joint With Severe Osteoarthritis
If your mother or grandmother has What Is Osteoarthritis? Who Gets Osteoarthritis? or had osteoarthritis in their hands, you’re at greater-than-average risk Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that Osteoarthritis occurs most often in of having it too. Women are more mostly affects cartilage. Cartilage is older people. Younger people some- likely than men to have osteoarthri- the slippery tissue that covers the times get osteoarthritis primarily tis in the hands. For most women, it ends of bones in a joint. Healthy from joint injuries. develops after menopause. cartilage allows bones to glide over each other. It also helps absorb How Do You Know if You Have Os- Knees: The knees are among the shock of movement. In osteoarthri- teoarthritis? joints most commonly affected by tis, the top layer of cartilage breaks osteoarthritis. Symptoms of knee down and wears away. This allows Usually, osteoarthritis comes on osteoarthritis include stiffness, bones under the cartilage to rub slowly. Early in the disease, your swelling, and pain, which make it hard together. The rubbing causes pain, joints may ache after physical work to walk, climb, and get in and out of swelling, and loss of motion of the or exercise. Later on, joint pain may chairs and bathtubs. Osteoarthritis joint. Over time, the joint may lose become more persistent. You may in the knees can lead to disability. its normal shape. Also, bone spurs also experience joint stiffness, par- may grow on the edges of the joint. ticularly when you first wake up in Hips: The hips are also common sites Bits of bone or cartilage can break the morning or have been in one of osteoarthritis. As with knee os- off and float inside the joint space, position for a long time. teoarthritis, symptoms of hip os- which causes more pain and dam- teoarthritis include pain and stiff- age. Although osteoarthritis can occur in ness of the joint itself. But some- any joint, most often it affects the times pain is felt in the groin, inner People with osteoarthritis often hands, knees, hips, and spine (either thigh, buttocks, or even the knees. have joint pain and reduced motion. at the neck or lower back). Differ- Osteoarthritis of the hip may limit Unlike some other forms of arthri- ent characteristics of the disease moving and bending, making daily ac- tis, osteoarthritis affects only joints can depend on the specific joint(s) tivities such as dressing and putting and not internal organs. Rheumatoid affected. For information on the on shoes a challenge. arthritis - the second most common joints most often affected by os- form of arthritis - affects other teoarthritis, see the following de- parts of the body besides the scriptions: joints. Osteoarthritis is the most Ex-POW Bulletin common type of arthritis. Hands: Osteoarthritis of the hands Jan/Feb 2017 seems to have some hereditary char- acteristics; that is, it runs in families. 7 medsearch, cont’d... On the Move: Spine: Osteoarthritis of the spine Fighting Osteoarthritis With Exercise may show up as stiffness and pain You can use exercises to keep strong and limber, improve cardio- in the neck or lower back. In some vascular fitness, extend your joints’ range of motion, and reduce cases, arthritis-related changes in your weight. The following types of exercise are part of a well- the spine can cause pressure on the rounded arthritis treatment plan. nerves where they exit the spinal · Strengthening exercises: These exercises strengthen column, resulting in weakness, tin- muscles that support joints affected by arthritis. They gling, or numbness of the arms and can be performed with weights or with exercise bands, legs. In severe cases, this can even inexpensive devices that add resistance. affect bladder and bowel function. · Aerobic activities: These are exercises, such as brisk walking or low-impact aerobics, that get your heart What Causes Osteoarthritis? pumping and can keep your lungs and circulatory system in shape. Osteoarthritis usually happens gradually over time. Some risk fac- · Range-of-motion activities: These keep your joints tors that might lead to it include: limber. Being overweight Getting older · Balance and agility exercises: These help you maintain Joint injury daily living skills. Joints that are not properly formed Ask your doctor or physical therapist what exercises are best for A genetic defect in joint cartilage you. Ask for guidelines on exercising. Stresses on the joints from certain jobs and playing sports. Arthritis self-management How Is Osteoarthritis Treated? programs How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed? Arthritis support groups. Doctors often combine treatments These programs teach people Osteoarthritis can occur in any to fit a patient’s needs, lifestyle, and about osteoarthritis and its joint. It occurs most often in the health. Osteoarthritis treatment has treatments. They also have clear hands, knees, hips, and spine. four main goals: and long-lasting benefits. People Improve joint function in these programs learn to: Warning signs of osteoarthritis Keep a healthy body weight Exercise and relax are: Control pain Talk with their doctor or other Achieve a healthy lifestyle. health care providers Stiffness in a joint after getting out Osteoarthritis treatment plans can Solve problems. of bed or sitting for a long time involve: People with osteoarthritis find Swelling or tenderness in one or Exercise that self-management programs more joints Weight control help them: A crunching feeling or the sound Rest and joint care Understand the disease of bone rubbing on bone. Nondrug pain relief techniques to Reduce pain while staying active No single test can diagnose os- control pain Cope with their body, mind, and teoarthritis. Most doctors use sev- Medicines emotions eral methods to diagnose the dis- Complementary and alternative Have more control over the ease and rule out other problems: therapies disease Medical history Surgery. Live an active, independent life. Physical exam People with a good-health X rays How Can Self-Care and a “Good- attitude: Other tests such as blood tests Health Attitude” Help? Focus on what they can do, not or exams of the fluid in the what they can’t do joints. Three kinds of programs help people Focus on their strengths, not learn about osteoarthritis and self- their weaknesses care and improve their good-health Break down activities into small attitude: Ex-POW Bulletin tasks that are easy to manage Patient education programs Build fitness and healthy eating Jan/Feb 2017 into their daily routines 8 medsearch, cont’d... Information for National Service Officers: Develop ways to lower and manage stress Balance rest with activity Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Develop a support system of family, friends, and health care The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program is for family members of Vet- providers. erans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987. During this time, Veterans and family mem- What Research Is Being Done on bers living or serving at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Caro- Osteoarthritis? lina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with indus- trial solvents, benzene and other chemicals. Osteoarthritis is not simply a dis- ease of “wear and tear” that hap- On August 6, 2012, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp pens in joints as people get older. Lejeune Families Act of 2012 was signed into law. This law (H.R. 1627, now There is more to the disease than Public Law 112-154) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to aging alone. Researchers are study- provide health care to Veterans who served on active duty at Camp ing: Lejeune and to reimburse eligible Camp Lejeune Family Members (CLFM) Tools to detect osteoarthritis for health care costs related to one or more of the following 15 speci- earlier fied illnesses or medical conditions listed in the law: Genes Tissue engineering—special Illnesses/medical conditions identified in ways to grow cartilage to replace Public Law 112-154 damaged cartilage A wide range of treatment strategies Bladder cancer Medicines to prevent, slow Miscarriage down, or reverse joint damage Breast cancer Complementary and alternative Multiple myeloma therapies Esophageal cancer Vitamins and other supplements Myelodysplastic syndromes Education to help people Female infertility manage their osteoarthritis Neurobehavioral effects better Hepatic steatosis Exercise and weight loss as ways to improve mobility and decrease Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma pain. Kidney cancer Renal toxicity For More Information on Leukemia Osteoarthritis and Other Related Scleroderma Conditions: Lung cancer National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Eligibility and enrollment information (NIAMS) Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health For more information on eligibility and how to apply, claims payment, 1 AMS Circle appeals and other issues, family members may call the toll-free CLFMP Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 customer service line at 1-866-372-1144 or visit the CLFMP website at Phone: 301-495-4484 https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov. Toll free: 877-22-NIAMS (877-226- 4267) Veterans can apply online at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply or call 1- TTY: 301-565-2966 877-222-8387 for assistance. Fax: 301-718-6366 Email: [email protected] Website: https:// www.niams.nih.gov Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2017 9 medsearch packets
Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2017 10 ers’ efforts to recruit and retain legislative 2016-2017 Legislative veteran employees and provide community and charitable services Committee to the veteran community. PNC Charles Susino, Jr. ND Charles Anthony Susino H.R. 5600, as amended, the No Hero [email protected] Left Untreated Act, would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a one-year pilot pro- dent signed a law to authorize VA gram to treat veterans with PTSD, to use its West Los Angeles cam- TBI, chronic pain, and opioid addic- pus for veterans’ programs includ- tion or who have experienced mili- ing veteran homelessness reintegra- tary sexual trauma with magnetic tion service. EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy, PNC Charles Susino Jr which uses magnetic stimulation to Chairman For those of you using TRICARE, help restore proper functioning in there has been a change from Ex- 136 Jefferson Street the brain. press Scripts, the contractor who Metuchen, NJ 08840 manages the TRICARE Pharmacy (732) 549-5775 phone & fax H.R. 4757, as amended, would re- Network, announced that starting (732) 713-8811 cell quire VA to supply a headstone, December 1, 2016, service mem- marker or medallion for Medal of bers, retirees and their families will With a new Presidential administra- Honor recipients buried at private no longer be able to have their pre- tion in office in January and the cemeteries. The bill would also al- scriptions filled at CVS pharmacy control of Congress all Republican, low VA to send a Presidential Me- stores. we need to double our efforts to morial Certificate, which is a certifi- let our voices be heard. While we cate that expresses the nation’s The government continues efforts know all incoming Presidents have recognition and gratitude of military to bring home POW/MIA’s from for- a short term agenda for their first service, to the families of deceased eign soil and each year achieves 100 days in office, the presence and veterans and to the families of de- many positive results where fami- voices from the veteran organiza- ceased members of certain Reserve lies can bring closure. In an effort tions and all veterans insures our components of the Armed Forces. to enhance this initiative, the De- opinions and needs are heard. fense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Please do your part at the local and H.R. 5166, as amended, the is seeking families of missing Ameri- federal level. WINGMAN Act, would allow veterans can service members to attend in- to authorize qualified congres- formational update meetings and to Our actions do matter and make a sional staffers to access their ben- collect DNA samples if one is not difference. Since our last Bulletin efits claims information, including already on file. Learn more at: http:/ reported on Senate Bill 1004 Veter- medical and pay records. /www.dpaa.mil/Families/Family- ans’ Day Moment of Silence Act this Events/ Bill was signed by President Obama H.R. 6323, to name the Department into law. of Veterans Affairs health care sys- The Department of Veterans Affairs tem in Long Beach, California, the (VA) and the Social Security Admin- Veteran’s health care continues to “Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center.” istration (SSA) launched a new be on the forefronts of our minds Please play an active role in our leg- Health IT initiative that enables VA especially in the area of suicide pre- to share medical records electroni- islative process and contact your vention because of the nearly 20 cally with Social Security Disability Congressman on the Bills you be- deaths per day of veterans. VA ini- processors. This replaces SSA ob- lieve should be passed. tiatives include positioning a suicide taining medical records through a specialist within every VA Medical manual process so time and money Center by the end of 2016 and add- Charles Susino, Jr should be saved. ing the option to press the number The House recently passed six vet- seven on the Veterans Crisis Line erans-related bills, including: —Remember those that have sacri- to immediately speak to a person. ficed to protect our freedom— H.R. 3286, the Honoring Investments Veteran homelessness continues to in Recruiting and Employing Ameri- be an initiative within the VA. Al- can Military Veterans Act of 2016, Ex-POW Bulletin though progress is slow one re- would require the Department of Jan/Feb 2017 source was added when the presi- Labor to better recognize employ- 11 When the prison at andersonville Andersonville comes to mind it is the overcrowded summer months that are seared into memory. But what about the cold winter months when there were less than 2,000 prisoners remaining in the stockade, waiting for the war to end and the opportunity to go home? During the Night Museum event, visitors were given In addition to the outdoor programs, Andersonville NHS a rare opportunity to explore the Night Museum featured a presenta- 496 Cemetery Road Civil War prison site by lantern light tion by guest speaker Pat Curry at Andersonville, GA 31711 while living historians portraying the National Prisoner of War Museum (229) 924-0343 Union prisoners and Confederate on life as the son of a prisoner of Supt. Charles Sellars guards occupied the reconstructed war. Pat’s father, Lieutenant James [email protected] corner. It was the first time in three Curry, spent nearly three years as a years that the historic prison site prisoner in North Korea. Pat shared Night Museum at Andersonville had been open to the public at night. his personal account of his father’s National Historic Site This gave visitors a unique occasion prisoner of war experience and the By Jennifer Hopkins, Park Guide to interact with the past and learn resulting struggles faced by Pat and about the history of the site dur- the rest of his family as they waited ing the often overlooked winter for word of their loved one’s fate, months of 1864-1865. coped with his long absence, and hoped for his safe return. Along with living historians on the prison site, a special ranger-led This year’s Night Museum was a great program used the night sky to dis- success and resulted in a significant cuss starlight, symbolism, and ways increase in attendance thanks to the we are still connected to our an- hard work and dedication of park cestors. “Just like it’s sometimes staff and over fifty volunteers! This hard to see the stars in our night after-hours event is a great way for During November 1864, sky due to light pollution,” explained Andersonville National Historic Site to Andersonville prisoner James Vance seasonal ranger David Tise, “it can reach local visitors who do not have wrote in his diary, “Preparations for be hard to make connections with the chance to visit during the park’s exchange through the week. Taking our ancestors.” normal operating hours, as well as names of the sick.” With General other families across the country that William Sherman occupying Atlanta, Most of the visible stars seen in our planned their travels around this spe- Georgia, talk of exchange was the night sky are in the 150-155 lightyear cial event. When asked about volun- main point of conversation within range, meaning it takes approxi- teering at the event, Wade Barr the stockade-styled prison pen, for- mately 150 years for their light to stated, “Even though we can only mally known as Camp Sumter Mili- reach Earth. Therefore, as visitors imagine what the sights and smells tary Prison. These sentiments and looked at the vast sky above, they of Andersonville were really like, ex- others were reflected during were seeing light from the Civil War periences like Night Museum and Liv- Andersonville National Historic Site’s era. In that moment they were mak- ing History Weekend give both visi- annual Night Museum event that ing direct connections with the tors and volunteers a small taste of occurred on November 12, 2016. thousands of Civil War soldiers who Camp Sumter.” Ex-POW Bulletin looked toward the night sky for Jan/Feb 2017 hope, direction, and healing. PHOTO CREDIT: Hugh Peacock 12 returning prisoner’s needs and Another flash message reporting that namPOWs that of their family. Debriefing, af- I refused to sleep in a bed and rolled ter the identification of prisoner up on the floor – I had gone native. names and sightings, was accom- Three strikes and I was out. They kept Fifty Years plished at our convenience and me an extra day hoping that the re- and Counting leisure. lease publicity back home had slowed down. They cautioned my family to Each of us was assigned an escort meet me at Oak Knoll Hospital rather by Richard “Beak” Stratton officer whose function was to than on the tarmac of Travis AFB CA. [email protected] mentor us upon Trans-Pac flight and to commence the debrief ini- On my first overnight at home in Palo tially of the names of any prison- Alto on St. Patrick’s Day, my son ers we had run across during our Patrick convinced me that I should incarceration. In my case I was as- stay in character. The hospital was signed two escorts. As a result of still requiring a stool sample each day my bowing picture appearing in since it seems that we brought an in- Life magazine in 1967, DoD was finite variety of worms home with us. not sure of my mental state or Pat suggested that we go out in the degree of loyalty. They were tak- yard, dig up some earth worms and ing no chances. They had all kinds put them in with the day’s stool of stuff for us to read enroute sample. including Playboy magazine. When offered that skin trash I declined We did so; my Navy reputation was and facetiously asked for a copy secured. of a Sears catalogue which was the teen skin (ladies underwear The return of our fighting men from section) publication of the thirties. Vietnam, especially through the San I do not pay much attention to my They immediately radioed ahead Francisco Bay area was an absolute birthdays; each one is just another that I failed their mental status disgrace. Returnees were met by draft day in a continuum of pleasant sur- exam opting for a Sears catalogue dodging, communist loving “students” prises since I survived the explosion over a Playboy. spitting upon our troopers, calling of my aircraft at 2, 200 feet and 220 them “baby killers” and throwing gar- knots over North Vietnam in Janu- We had a three-day layover at Clark bage at them. May God forgive these ary1967 and then survived over six AFB PI to get dewormed, deloused, idiots; I will not. years in a series of communist pris- debriefed and triaged. They had a ons. Each day subsequent to my dietician on the chow line to make The returning POWs were an excep- release is a gift; each day is a bless- sure that we did not overeat. I tion. Our return was treated as a na- ing. I was captured at age 35 and lusted after a dozen scrambled tional cause for celebration and re- remain in my own mind still 35 de- eggs and was only allowed to have joicing. We were welcomed by those spite the fact that 50 years have six, having to take a steak along who supported the war, those that passed. with the eggs, which steak I opposed the war and those that were promptly threw away. Then I went weary of the war. It was an embar- We expected that the VC would try through the line a second time rassment to us, as the true heroes to keep some of us back at the time tossing the steak and saving the of the Vietnam War were the foot of release as the North Koreans next six eggs. Naturally, being from soldiers, the brown water navy and attempted to do in the 50’s. We Boston I slathered ketchup all over the helo pilots who slugged it out on were not really convinced that we the mess of eggs. Another radio the ground, in the air, in the jungles, were actually free until we were flash went out stating that I had on the rice paddies, and on the rivers “feet wet” out over the South China thrown away perfectly good of Southeast Asia. We had received Sea out of range of SAM missiles. steaks in favor of ketchup cov- their welcome. We were grateful that Mr. Kissinger ered scrambled eggs! specifically negotiated our release. Every day since our release has been That evening, tossing and turning a ball. We have been blessed. Operation Homecoming was the on a soft mattress after six years Navy’s finest hour. Originally called on cement and boards I could not “Operation Egress Recap” (!!!), this get to sleep. So I rolled up on a bureaucratic monstrosity morphed Ex-POW Bulletin blanket getting a great sleep on into a family and service member Jan/Feb 2017 the floor with a nice soft pillow. oriented program dedicated to the 13 forts, but primarily due to increased when the League Delegation visited pow/mia bilateral relations across the board. over a year ago continues to impede The early 2015 League Delegation recovery operations in that area. brought commitments that offered The League urges officials in Laos real promise for increased success. and Cambodia to temporarily set First undertaken in northern Viet- aside their political disagreement nam in 1985, joint field operations and work trilaterally with the US to have dramatically changed and are proceed on this humanitarian recov- now much more effective. Viet- ery. namese officials are participating with greater seriousness and pro- Related to DIA’s Stony Beach Team, fessionalism, achieving increased one Cambodia specialist works full results, including both US-led Joint time at the US Embassy in Phnom Excavation Teams and Vietnamese Penh, and research and field opera- Status of the POW/MIA Issue Recovery Teams (VRTs), led by Viet- tions in Cambodia have received National League namese and supported by a few US excellent support. Two Stony of POW/MIA Families personnel. This formula allows a Beach personnel have for years ro- greater number of teams to “in- tated on temporary duty in and out crease the pace and scope of field of Vietnam, collecting information 1,618 Americans are listed by DoD operations,” as requested by Viet- via archival research and interviews as missing and unaccounted-for nam during discussions since 2009. of potential witnesses. Vietnam from the Vietnam War: Vietnam - Due to increased military-to-military was long ago requested to permit, 1,261 (VN-463, VS-798); Laos–301; cooperation, US Navy assets are and is still reportedly considering, Cambodia-49; Peoples Republic of now allowed to participate in under- permanent status for these two China territorial waters–7. (These water survey and recovery opera- POW/MIA specialists. Successive numbers fluctuate due to investiga- tions, when requested. These US Ambassadors have strongly sup- tions resulting in changed locations steps, long advocated by the ported this important move, but in- of loss.) The League seeks the full- League, are now coming to fruition creases in bilateral military relations est possible accounting for those and reportedly are raised by US of- should be sufficient to overcome still missing and repatriation of all ficials at all levels. any reluctance. The US Ambassa- recoverable remains. Highest prior- dor to Laos continues to support ity is accounting for Americans last After a rough period, joint field op- full use of the Lao specialist. It is known alive. US intelligence indicates erations in Laos are now increas- hoped that the expanded bilateral some Americans known to be in cap- ingly productive, even though more relationships with Laos and Vietnam tivity in Vietnam, Laos and Cambo- difficult than elsewhere. Account- will mean positive decisions on chal- dia were not returned at the end of ing efforts had slowed due to Lao lenges facing this mission. The the war. In the absence of evidence Government inflexibility, attempting Stony Beach specialists are sorely to the contrary, it must be assumed to over-price payment for helicop- needed to augment the investiga- that these Americans could still be ter support and denying permission tion process while witnesses are alive, and the US Government should for ground transport to accessible still living and able to facilitate lo- not rule out that possibility. incident sites. Laos is now show- cating incident sites for follow-up ing greater flexibility, earlier having DPAA recoveries. Vietnam established comprehensive increased the number of US person- wartime and post-war processes to nel permitted in-country, allowing The greatest obstacles to increased collect and retain information and ground transport to accessible Vietnam War accounting efforts are remains; thus, unilateral efforts by sites, and has renewed a business too few qualified scientists, and them offered significant potential. license to a foreign company to pro- unreliable funding that has caused Vietnam has since taken many uni- vide reliable, small helicopter sup- US cancellation of scheduled opera- lateral actions that are welcome and port. When helpful, Vietnamese tions, thus sending negative signals appreciated, plus announced that witnesses are also allowed to par- to foreign counterpart officials, es- there are no obstacles to full coop- ticipate in joint US-Lao operations. pecially in Vietnam. Since over 80% eration. Recently, Vietnam has in- of US losses in Laos and 90% in creased implementation of commit- DIA’s Stony Beach POW/MIA special- Cambodia occurred in areas where ments to provide long-sought archi- ist is assigned full time in-country; Vietnamese forces operated during val records with relevant, case-re- however, his efforts are impeded the war, Vietnam’s expanded provi- lated information, thanks in part to by Lao reluctance to permit him to sion of helpful records, improved improvement of working-level ef- operate outside the confines of and increased archival research, in- scheduled DPAA field operations. terviews and field operations are Ex-POW Bulletin Also, despite strong support from, the core means to expand account- and interventions by, US Ambassa- Jan/Feb 2017 ing for Vietnam War missing person- dor Dan Clune, a border dispute nel. 14 with Cambodia that was ongoing Just last year, The Embassy saw fit nals of U.S. history. He is a strong civilians to dedicate some rooms of histori- reminder of those heroes of WWII cal presence at “the house,” by pay- who selflessly gave to two coun- ing tribute to four extraordinary ci- tries. After the war, he continued his vilian individuals. businesses in his beloved Philip- Alice Gollin, pines where he chose to live out his JVC In choosing them, the staff consid- life. ered three criteria. Since this is the U.S. Embassy, they had to be Ameri- Claire Phillips – “High Pockets.” can. Secondly they wanted those When Manila was under the Japa- selected to be great Americans, not nese Imperial Army in 1942, a woman famous ones. They wanted to by the name of Claire Phillips owned honor those who were not as well and operated a cabaret not far from “Welcome to America, folks!” known as General MacArthur, but the High Commissioner’s Office, “You are now on U.S. soil! “ none the less deserving of this great named, “Club Tsubaki.” To save the by Sascha Jansen recognition. man she loved, and with a burning [email protected] desire to be part of the war effort, Lastly, they wanted these individu- Claire immediately switched gears With this wonderful refreshing wel- als to have a special connection and forward. Her determination to ex- come, we stepped on the property bond to the Philippines. tract valuable information from the of the United States Embassy in enemy and pass it on to U.S. intelli- Manila, the guests of Ambassador When we arrived at this elegant, but gence and Filipino guerrillas, was Francis Ricciardoni and his staff. simply appointed ballroom, we are paramount. reminded of great people in time The fifty something group of ex-in- who graced these Romblon halls. Using her club to spy on the Japa- ternees, POWS, liberators and vet- Many Presidents, high military he- nese customers proved to be a erans with family members, were in roes, artists of note, literary ge- huge bonus for the war effort. She Manila for the 60th Anniversary of niuses, sports figures and common dipped deep in the well of informa- the Battle for Manila. We were men have passed through. Here too tion Tsubaki afforded her, thus she thrilled with our invitation and our was the sight of General accomplished much and was known tour was indeed a surprising and Yamashita’s famous war trial, ulti- by her code name, “High Pockets.” fulfilling journey into the past. mately sentencing him to death. This code name was bestowed Today, we learn, this historical ball- upon Claire as a euphemism for her The forerunner of the U.S. Embassy room has been dedicated to a civil- brassiere, where she would hide in Manila was the American High ian, well known for his heroic deeds coded messages. Commission Office built on this during WWII. same property on Manila Bay - an Her double life, eventually caught up outstanding edifice on the famous Chick Parsons. Charles Parsons, Jr. with her when she was arrested and Dewey Blvd.. ( Chick ) came from America to the tortured by her captors. Philippines in his fifth year. Through- Completed in 1941, it stood, with- out his adult years his highly devel- After the war, Claire, co-authored a out apology, as an American Federal oped business interests took him book about her wartime experi- Government building, as American in on an extensive journey in his ences and later her book was dra- character as it could be. It was built newly adopted country making matized into a movie of note. We as a modern development of the Chick the ennoblement on Philip- found ourselves in the prestigious old American colonial design, sug- pine history and lore. Claire Phillips Room which stands gesting strength, dignity, stability today as the Chancery Conference and purity of line. Referred to as “in- At the start of WWII, he and his fam- Room. destructible” of fire, typhoon, earth- ily managed to get back to the quake and bombing, she was a United States. But, Chick couldn’t Dr. Najeeb Saleeby. A naturalized queen among the grandest of sit still. He had to get back to the American, Dr. Najeeb Saleeby, came dames. To the U.S. High Commis- Philippines and volunteered to re- to Manila along with hundreds of sioner, Frances P. Sayre, it was sim- turn. His numerous secret subma- other teachers aboard the S.S. Tho- ply called, “The House.” rine missions and vast knowledge mas. He was born in Syria and stud- of the intimacies of the Philippines ied at the American University of On this day, as we strolled these was a plus in his return. His network- Beirut but had a unique fascination cool halls in this magnificent struc- ing with local contacts enabled of Moro culture in the Philippines, ture worthily representing American Chick to support and communicate presence and influence in this our effectively with country wide guer- Ex-POW Bulletin adopted country, we were learning rilla units. Chick was a household Jan/Feb 2017 many things. word in the Far East and in the an- 15 civilians, cont’d... publishing two hugely respected News books on the subject. events Briefs As the superintendent of schools in Sulu and Mindanao, he was a tire- Feb. 1, 2017. BACEPOW Reunion in less advocate of education from he Armed Forces Re- the beginning. Dr. Saleeby’s deep af- New Orleans, LA. The WWII Museum T fection for the Filipino people and in New Orleans was inspired by tirement Home Stephen E. Ambrose, American their country, inspired him to make The premier retirement community the Philippines his home. historian and biographer , a long-time professor of history at the for eligible American veterans - is now accepting applications. AFRH In 1907, Dr. Saleeby became the University of New Orleans and the first medical director of St.Luke’s author of many best selling volumes offers residents an affordable hospital and thrived continually ex- of American popular history. Mr. lifestyle on a scenic, wooded cam- panding our knowledge of the Phil- Ambrose’s life passion was pus just minutes from downtown ippines. Today, The “Najeeb Saleeby concentrated on the European Washington, DC – home to muse- Court Yard” stands as a proud re- Theater of WWII. ums, monuments, and a host of en- minder of the many generous gifts tertainment, sports and other cul- of education and trust this gentle Ambrose’s works and avid interests tural options. man gave to the Philippine people. and specific works with D-Day veterans, inspired him to found the Many veterans choose to live at The Honorable Francis Murphy. In National D-Day Museum in New AFRH for the superior medical, den- 1933, Frank Murphy was appointed Orleans. He initiated fundraising by tal and vision care offered, with Governor-General of the Philip- donating $500,000 and secured amenities that include: private pines. He held well to this position rooms with a shower, cable TV, till President Roosevelt appointed large contributions from the federal government, the State of Louisiana, three delicious daily meals prepared him to the Supreme Court where he by licensed nutritionists in our mod- became a staunch advocate of civil Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and many individual smaller donations. In ern dining facility, a wellness pro- liberties and is duly remembered for gram and deluxe fitness center, his scathing dissent in the court 2003, Congress designated the movie theater, bowling center and case that sanctioned the internment museum as “America’s National hobby shops. of Japanese- Americans. World War II Museum.” The Stephen E. Ambrose Memorial Fund At the dedication ceremonies in the continues to support the Services include recreational activi- Embassy, Ambassador Francis development of the museum’s ties, resident day trips, a full-service Ricciardoni remarked on these hon- Center for Study of the American library, barber shop, 24 / 7 security, orees. Spirit, it’s educational programs and beauty salon, computer center, mail- “Each of the above – mentioned in- oral history and public initiatives. boxes, banking services, campus dividuals are unique, and being Arrival: Wednesday – February 1st PX/BX and off-campus shuttle and unique what I like most about them Hotel: Embassy Suites New Orleans public transportation. is that they may not have even liked Banquet: February 2nd. All Day each other had they met. They al- Program and Visit at WW II Mu- Persons are eligible to become most certainly would not have seum - February 3rd. Departure AFRH residents who: agreed with each other on political matters. And maybe that is one of Dates: Feb 4th or choose your own the more enduring and endearing personal departure date. For any Served as members of the Armed qualities that they share as Ameri- questions please contact: Sascha Forces, at least one-half of whose cans: being disagreeable and refus- Jansen [email protected] service was not active commis- ing to conform to the status quo. But 707-448-2909 sioned service (other than as a war- they were all great Americans, all rant officer or limited-duty officer) great friends of the Philippines, and Jan. 6-14, 2018. USS Pueblo 50th all greatly committed to freedom Anniversary Cruise will be taken Are 60 years of age or over; and and justice.” aboard the popular Carnival Con- were discharged or released under quest. For information/reserva- honorable conditions with 20 or To Be Continued... tions: VIP World Travel, 4971 more years of active service Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota, FL Ex-POW Bulletin 34235; 941-377-0017 or 800-323- Are determined to be incapable of Jan/Feb 2017 7448; [email protected]. earning a livelihood because of a 16 Website: www.vipworldtravel.travel service-connected disability in- news, cont’d... epartment of Missouri, American Ex-Prisoners curred in the line of duty in the D Armed Forces. of War Deactivated The Missouri POW/MIA Served in a war theater during a time Museum hosted the of war declared by Congress or deactivation ceremony of the were eligible for hostile fire special Department of Missouri pay; were released from service in American EX-POWs on the Armed Forces under honorable September 16, 2016. Originally conditions; and are determined to planned as an outdoor be incapable of earning a livelihood ceremony, it had to be moved because of injuries, disease or dis- indoors due to the off and on ability. heavy rain showers that hit St Louis that day. The keynote Served in a women’s component of speaker at the ceremony was the Armed Forces before June 12, Rocky Sickmann, a hostage in 1948; and are determined to be eli- Iran after the Embassy gible for admission because of com- takeover. The event was pelling personal circumstances. covered by several St Louis television stations. Fees for independent living are 40 % of total current income (not to At the ceremony, checks for exceed $1,425 / month). For further over $8000 each were information or to request an appli- presented to the POW/MIA Museum and to the Welcome Home cation, visit: https://www.afrh.gov/ Organization of Columbia which provides care and shelter for homeless apply or contact the Office of Pub- veterans. lic Affairs at: [email protected] 1-800-422- Also presented to the museum for their archives and display were the 9988. original charter and copy of the state by-laws in their decades old folder; Armed Forces Retirement Home an original document of the proclamation declaring the 16th of Septem- 3700 North Capitol Street, NW ber the official POW/MIA recognition day signed by Missouri’s governor; Washington, DC 20011 a plaque listing all former state commanders; and the Department flags. P: 202-541-7550/ F: 202-541- The Missouri Department of AXPOW’s flags were accepted by the 7519 museum unfurled — not folded or encased. There is symbolism in the [email protected] gesture. POWs had to surrender their flag once as captives and they www.afrh.gov will not be made to do so again. www.facebook.com/AFRH.gov To honor our past and to symbolize our deactivation, the bottom of Military Hero Jeremiah the plaque is engraved: A. Denton, Jr., Inducted “WE EXISTED TO HELP THOSE WHO COULD NOT HELP THEMSELVES” into Alabama Men’s Hall duction into the Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame of Fame on Sept. 20, 2016. “Faith, family and freedom was what he was fighting for in the air, in cells, The late in the senate and in humanitarian Jeremiah A. The honoree, who died in 2014 at projects around the world,” said his Denton, age 89, was a U.S Naval Academy son, Michael Denton, speaking for Jr., was graduate, Vietnam War hero and na- the family at the induction ceremony cited for val aviator. After being shot down at The Club in Birmingham. “He gave his courage while leading a bombing mission more than his measure and he calls and his over North Vietnam, he was held as on others to do no less.” love of Ala- a prisoner of war for seven years bama and and seven months in North Vietnam- the United ese prison camps before his release States dur- in 1973. He was later elected to rep- Ex-POW Bulletin ing his in- resent Alabama in the U.S. Senate in Jan/Feb 2017 1980. 17 want published any letter I wrote my news, cont’d... husband while he served in Vietnam, Denton is known for a May 1966 members’ or any I wrote to our only son while interview during which he voiced an he served with the 1st Armored Divi- endorsement of U.S. policy in Viet- forum sion in the desert. These are the nam. While pretending to blink in exact words, apparently used in reaction to bright lighting, he blinked Idaho in some form, I wrote in 2005 out the letters T.O.R.T.U.R.E in on the 60th anniversary of the res- Morse Code as a signal to Ameri- cue at Los Baños. I stand by each of can officials that the North Vietnam- them: ese were torturing captive American In the September/October 2016 is- pilots. sue of this publication, Sascha Weinzheimer Jansen used me as the “Einstein tells us it’s impossible The Men’s Hall of Fame was focus of an attack column. She is a to know how fast we are moving founded by the Alabama legislature total stranger to me and never or where we are without a fixed in 1987 to recognize men whose knew my mother although her point of reference. He was right. lives have impacted the state, the words claim expertise on both our February 23, 1945 is an eternal nation and the world. “Induction lives. I am responding to Mrs. compass for anyone rescued at Los standards are high,” said Hall of Fame Jansen’s column for my children Baños. For those of us with two chair Frank McDaniel, and require a who, because of the war, were birthdays, it is the measure of all unanimous vote of the board of born to quiet holidays absent of things. directors, which includes represen- maternal grandparents or aunts or tatives from Alabama’s seven con- uncles and in memory of my mother There is a place in the brain im- gressional districts. who would have required me to pervious to the passage of sixty respond. years, where smell and sight and Denton, this year’s only honoree, sound remain vivid and ever- is the 59th man to be tapped for green. The word, “rescue,” is more Mrs. Jansen states, as fact, I was in the honor. A plaque engraved with than the sound created by an ar- Idaho speaking at a Reunion of the his accomplishments will join those rangement of six letters if you 196th Regimental Combat Team. The of other honorees on display on understand the character of our closest I have been to Idaho is to eat the third floor of Samford captors. That February morning I a potato. I have never been in Idaho. University’s Harwell G. Davis Library. knew only one thing. I knew life I had never heard of this group un- was a desperate enterprise where til I read Mrs. Jansen’s assault. I have The luncheon was co-hosted by the you pleased or you were punished. no idea how the words she quoted Women’s Committee of 100 for Bir- The first time I failed to please, were published, or in what form, by mingham, which Nan Teninbaum they pulled out my fingernails. a group unknown to me. serves as president. Guests in- The second time, I was hung on cluded representatives of various barbed wire for a night and two veterans groups, including the I am a private, some would say, re- days without water. I was three American Legion, U.S. Naval Acad- clusive person. I do not speak years old. emy alumni chapter, Still Serving Vet- publically, or write columns, or at- erans organization and Vietnam Vet- tend reunions, or engage in social In the last days of Los Baños, my erans of America. Attendees also media. I have no Facebook page, no mother taught me a game. On her included Denton’s 1947 U.S. Naval Twitter account. I have also chosen signal I fell on the ground and she Academy classmate John Snyder of not to discuss the war with friends fell on top of me. We did this over Huntsville, Alabama. of a lifetime as they live innocently and over until I could fall and re- in the center of life’s spectrum. main absolutely still. She was a twenty-three year old mother See you I am not a professional POW. who’d just heard we were all to be executed the next morning. She in Arlington! reasoned they would use machine In 2005, eleven years ago, I wrote guns and aim chest high. If she June 22-25, 2017 what constituted a love letter to a fell on me when she was hit, her th small gathering of the 11 Airborne, body might save me until Ameri- to the boys, now grown into old can troops found me. The morn- men, who saved all of us at Los Ex-POW Bulletin ing of the rescue, our ritual of pre- Baños. I wrote it with the under- paring for roll call was different. Jan/Feb 2017 standing it would not be published, That morning she reached into a 18 much in the same way I would not marble, it’s alive. It lives within tant lies,” and mocking the cause of members’ forum, every survivor, within children death of a stranger’s mother, un- cont’d... born who might never have been, known to her, because they have, within the generations to come, “a mind that has a need to place it- within the lives of strangers en- self on center stage in a WWII trag- hiding place and took out a little riched through all those touched edy, plagiarizing other’s real life piece of cloth with red and white that morning by the grace of God. horrific events, no matter what the stripes and tiny stars on a square cost.” That should give pause and of blue. She tucked it into her concern. These are the slurs of the blouse, took my hand, and smiled I think I just said, “Thanks, guys.” Thank you for my children, schoolyard, not the discourse of at me. We went to roll call. That adults. moment is evergreen. birthdays, weekends, snow, hot buttered popcorn, days at the beach, the voting booth, a full This publication has had my correct When my mother first saw a refrigerator, falling in love, nap- address for over thirty years. I was star painted on the side of planes kins, air conditioning, Christmas never contacted for comment prior approaching Los Baños, she felt mornings, hot baths with soap, to publication of Mrs. Jansen’s col- grateful just to have seen them baseball games—each of which umn. It took a moment’s research before she died. But when the sky remind me of you. Although I’ve to find Mrs. Jansen has focused her filled with parachutes, she grown old, I still think of you with pernicious attention on others, I am grabbed me and repeated again that intense affection found only not alone, and that she first printed and again, “You’re going to be in a child’s heart.” this assault on me in 2013. In 2016, old, you’re going to be old.” And, three years later, she was again sub- now, I am old. My mother died at mitting the same threadbare diatribe the age of forty-four from the ef- I have researched the existence of about me to a national audience. fects of torture. Her last thoughts government and medical records Going to print without care or were of the men who’d saved us, validating the cause of my mother’s checking has violated my family by of the magical morning when she death, fifty years ago, and that of subjecting my husband, our children knew her only child would live, of my own voluminous and uncommon and grandchildren to the immortal- the pure luxury of dying on clean medical records which support what ity of the Internet. The standards of sheets. I described in 2005. My mother’s last attending physician is still practicing publication employed were below in Beverly Hills, California. And, yes, that of fliers which arrive by mail I grew up in a strange place I have the little forty-eight star addressed to “occupant” and trans- called Los Angeles where healthy American flag my mother tucked in fer ink to your fingers when you people said they were starving if her blouse that morning at Los touch them. It was unworthy. they skipped breakfast, where Baños. I wouldn’t trade it for a trunk- children threw tantrums if given full of diamond bracelets by Cartier. vanilla ice cream instead of We are the children of war. Seven chocolate, where growing old was decades have passed forming a unwanted. I’ve seen the play with The personal shards of the experi- scab that insulates us from the be- different eyes. I know the distil- ence of war are too humbling to wildered children we were. No indi- lation of freedom is simply to say, imagine our own can define all ex- vidual should grant themselves per- “No,” because if you aren’t free, perience. We came from different mission to rip off that scab, to use the answer is always, “Yes.” When backgrounds, educations, religions, others as fodder, and to enjoy I say that blissful word, I remem- families. Our parents survived in publically trampling within our most ber the guys who bought and their own way and that path di- sacred precincts presumably in the paid for it. Those glorious and rected our lives during and after the interest of promoting themselves as profane young men belong high war. the arbiter of all child war experi- in the pantheon of all the “Aw, ence. shucks, I was just doing my job,” The Ex-POW Bulletin is the expres- American kids who risk death to sion of a serious and worthy cause. War has no single experience. pry the boot off enslaved people. It must be equal to that cause. Mrs. Jansen’s submission begins in es- Diana Russell Cantrel I live just outside Washington, sential error and degenerates into [email protected] DC with its postcard monuments strings of exclamation marks, whole to our vanished past. No monu- sentences in all caps, and red flag ment there commemorates Los phrases, e.g., questioning a Ex-POW Bulletin Baños. But the monument to Los stranger’s “lack of sensibility and Jan/Feb 2017 Baños isn’t made of bronze or mental capacity,” “proclivity for bla- 19 WW2 Allied Escape and Evasion Agencies; MIS-X and British MI9 by Phil Froom [email protected]
At the outbreak of WWII in Septem- ber 1939, the British Government made a decision not to repeat the intelligence shortcomings of WWI, and established a military intelli- gence bureau dedicated to the preparation and execution of plans to facilitate the escape of British evaders cut off behind enemy lines and of Prisoners of War already in custody. This new organisation was tasked with arranging instruction to British troops in evasion and escape activities, and its work was later also adopted by the U.S. and the other Allies. and dissemination of information Hutton, the MI9 ‘Devices’ team pro- from escaped British prisoners of duced a variety of ever smaller es- Based upon the total unprepared- war, “the facilitation of the return cape compasses, varying from a ness of the Allied Nations to make to the United Kingdom of those single compass needle known as a any provision to support evaders or who succeeded in evading capture swinger, which was simply sus- escapers, or in most cases to even in enemy-occupied territory”, and to pended from cotton and allowed to bother to debrief them following advise on counter-escape measures swing north, to compasses con- successful escapes during WWI, a for German Prisoners of War in cealed in military brass buttons or new agency was established on 23 Great Britain, if required to do so. collar studs, until eventually they be- December 1939. The British Evasion MI9 was initially headquartered in came small enough to conceal inside and Escape agency (known as MI9) room 424 of the Metropole Hotel a pencil or cigarette. was responsible for the collection London. Beyond the early training of British Officers and senior NCOs Once compasses were mastered, in evasion and escape, one of the MI9 began to look at how to pro- most important tasks of MI9 was to vide maps which would not turn to devise purpose built ‘devices’ to pulp and fall apart in wet harsh con- enable those air crew or troops ditions, would not be bulky (and so shot down or cut off behind enemy easily discovered upon a post cap- lines, to retain their freedom, or for those already in captivity to regain theirs.
Initial studies proved that evading or escaping troops could not hope of retaining or regaining their free- dom for long, without a reliable com- pass or map, and these items would need to be sufficiently compact to allow them to be secluded in the uniforms, and personal belongings of operational air crew and troops. Ex-POW Bulletin Led by a slightly eccentric but highly Jan/Feb 2017 inventive ex Royal Flying Corps Ma- jor called Christopher Clayton 20 Upon its formation, MIS-X comprised escape, cont’d... five sections—interrogation, corre- spondence, prisoner of war loca- ture search), yet be useful for long tions, training and briefing, and tech- distance navigation across occupied nical. With British and American air- Europe. After various failed trials crew operating in the same skies with paper maps, Hutton decided over Europe, it was entirely logical that a perfect material would be silk, for MI9 and MIS-X to work in close which did not rustle, could be com- harmony and to share knowledge pacted into the palm of a hand, on escape lines and escape and eva- would not rub or disintegrate when sion techniques. Following its estab- wet, and most importantly, could be lishment, MIS-X began to mirror the sewn into the linings of uniforms to procedures already established by prevent discovery until required. MI9, and it was decided that all U.S. Next, MI9 set out to provide food air crew in Europe would be supplied and water rations to evaders, to with evasion and escape devices by sustain them during long periods of MI9, since it made little sense to ship evasion. These ‘ration packs’ be- them from US to UK. However, MIS- sible for the repatriation of over came known as ‘Aids Boxes’ and like X took the lead in all U.S.-led the- 12,000 men (equating to some 1,200 the other devices produced by MI9, aters of war—predominantly the B-17/B-24 or 1,714 Halifax/ evolved through a number itera- Pacific. U.S. air crews were issued Lancaster bomber crews), had de- tions before becoming an invaluable with evasion and escape devices briefed many thousands of men, source of sustenance for air crews including ration boxes, money gaining key intelligence, and had bailing out over occupied Europe purses containing foreign currency, built up a huge amount of detail on (and ultimately all other Theatres of maps of their operational area, a Axis dispositions across occupied operations). hacksaw blade, and a miniature com- Europe, thereby preparing later pass. crews to avoid enemy checkpoints In February 1942, U.S. Major General and traps and to evade home. Carl Spaatz travelled to England to Unfortunately, many men were al- make arrangements for the U.S. 8th ready incarcerated in Axis PW camps A fantastic achievement of the two Army Air Force to transfer its head- in Europe, and they too needed MI9/ agencies which pioneered a com- quarters there. During his visit MIS-X support. Both agencies there- pletely new military skill, which has Spaatz was briefed on MI9 and its fore turned their designers to pro- now become the norm amongst air role in aiding downed air crew to viding E&E gadgets which could be crews and Special Operations escape and evade back to England. shipped into PW camps inside inno- Forces globally and continues to Spaatz was extremely impressed cent ‘carrier’ devices, to enable PWs bring our troops home from harm’s with the idea and immediately set to plan and then execute their es- way. out to form a U.S. evasion and es- capes. cape agency. In October 1942 the embryonic U.S. Military Intelligence Eventually both agencies began to Service X (MIS-X) came into being ship toiletries: brushes, combs, and was based at Fort Hunt in Vir- shaving brushes, soap, razors, uni- ginia. forms, games, smoking items; light- ers, tobacco pouches, cigarette holders, sporting goods, books, shoes, and a variety of other inno- cent devices into the camps. Many of these items slipped past inexpe- rienced censors and mail searchers. So successful were these infiltra- tion methods, that by late 1944, some PW camps were asking the The book is currently available agencies to stop sending E&E de- from the publisher, from Amazon, vices, as they had run out of space or from other US book shops. to store them. Ex-POW Bulletin By war’s end, MI9, MIS-X and other Jan/Feb 2017 Allied covert agencies were respon- 21 American Ex-Prisoners of War 2016 National Convention June 22-24, 2017 Banquet, Saturday evening, June 24 Arlington Hilton (817) 640-3322 2401 East Lamar • Arlington, Texas
Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2017 22 American Ex-Prisoners of War 2016 National Convention June 22-24, 2017 Banquet, Saturday evening, June 25 Arlington Hilton (817) 640-3322 2401 East Lamar • Arlington, Texas Our Hotel: Hilton Arlington
2401 East Lamar Boulevard, Arlington, Texas 76006-7503 Tel: 1-817-640-3322, Fax: 1-817-633-1430 Room Rate $122 night/free airport shuttle/free parking Hilton Arlington is located 10 miles south of DFW Int’l Airport in the entertainment district of Arlington.
Attractions: Area attractions include Cowboys Stadium, Ranger Ballpark in Arlington, Six Flags and the Arlington Convention Center. Situated in a suburban business area, the Hilton Arlington is located within walking distance of many area restaurants.
AD Order Form Page size is 8 ½ x 11/due date May 15, 2017 Short Agenda: Black & White Color Full Page ….. $200 $300 JUNE 22 THURSDAY Half Page… . $130 $200 BOARD MEETING Quarter Page… $75 Business Card... $25 JUNE 23 FRIDAY OPENING CEREMONIES Name:______MEMORIAL SERVICE LADIES LUNCHEON MEDSEARCH/NSO SEMINAR Organization: ______CONVENTION CALL TO ORDER COMMANDER’S RECEPTION Address:______JUNE 24 SATURDAY City: ______State & Zip: ______BUSINESS SESSION CONT’D Telephone: ______NEW BOARD MEETING BANQUET/INSTALLATION Ad Size: ______Amount Enclosed $______JUNE 25 SUNDAY Checks Payable to: CHECK OUT AXPOW Mail Form with Ad materials and check to: National Ex-POW Bulletin Headquarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, Suite 40, Jan/Feb 2017 Arlington, TX 76010 23 Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2017 24 new members
National Headquarters 3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010 (817) 649-2979 WELCOME!
Margaret Batte Moore Sanford NC Daughter of Edward G Batte, ETO
Certificate of Captivity Suitable for framing, this certificate of captivity, printed on 8½” x 11” quality paper, proudly displays your history as a prisoner of war. Each certificate background is personalized to the theater of operation. To receive this certificate from AXPOW, please order from National Headquarters. If you are ordering at Convention, you can place your order in the Merchandise Room. We will need your name, service number, branch of service, unit when captured, POW number (if known), camp names and locations. You can call 817-649-2979 or email: [email protected]. Ex-POW Bulletin You may include a Jan/Feb 2017 picture with your order. 25 In memory of Anna Muschynka, by In memory of Kenneth Thomas contributions M/M Robert Lombardi Lockhart, by Risch Family In memory of Anna Muschynka, by In memory of Kenneth Thomas The Wills Family Lockhart, by Judy Belluardo In memory of Anna Muschynka, by In memory of Kenneth Thomas Kathleen Goo0dman & Marty Lockhart, by Janet Drogo Lawler In memory of Kenneth Thomas In memory of Anna Muschynka, by Lockhart, by Suzanne Rayot Partners of Bowman & Co, LLP In memory of Louis M Smith, by V In memory of Anna Muschynka, by Jean McLane Anthony & Susan Pugliese In memory of my husband, Irving In memory of Anna Muschynka, by Bailey, by Dorothy Nancy & Gary Seigle In memory of my husband, Paul In memory of Anna Muschynka, by Bilchak, by Mary Donald Patrick In memory of PNC Warren King, by In memory of Audrey Dugmore, by Stephen & Maryjane Laznibat Bruce, Pamela, Owen and Eric In memory of Stanley W MacArthur, Please send donations to: Dugmore by Joan MacArthur, his loving wife National Headquarters, 3201 East In memory of Audrey Dugmore, by & family Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arlington, Gail & David Crispin In memory of Stanley W MacArthur, TX 76010. In memory of Audrey Dugmore, by by Eleanor Havens Brian, Robin and Brendon Winnett In memory of Stanley W MacArthur, Checks must be made payable to In memory of Audrey Dugmore, by by Delores Perro AXPOW or American Ex-Prisoners of Dave Furst War. In memory of Bonita Parsons, by VOLUNTARY FUNDING the Beckley and Janiski families Clifford Armgard, Genoa WI In memory of Georgia & Sidney Doris Martin, Surfside Beach SC Thank you! Kadlec, by Diane Kadlec Nathaniel McCloud, Elizabethton In memory of Irma Burke, by TN Charles & Denise Duitnan Patricia Rangold, Stoughton MA GENERAL FUND In memory of Kenneth Thomas Phyllis Dunning, Cooperstown NY In memory of Anna Muschynka, by Lockhart, by Ramapo HS Apts Renatta Deitsch, South Bend IN Mark & Stefanie Wihrle In memory of Kenneth Thomas In memory of Anna Muschynka, by Lockhart, by Barbara & Ned Cooke Harry Wills
The Meaningful Gift ing POWs, their families and their ______percent of the rest, residue dependents through your will or liv- and remainder of my estate.” ing trust. This gift can be funded with A number of years ago, one of our cash or securities, mutual funds or members made the decision to es- Your generous support of our pro- other investments that are not serv- tablish a bequest to the American grams over the years has made a tre- ing your current needs. This special Ex-Prisoners of War. He felt strongly mendous difference to ex-POWs gift will benefit future generations that he truly cared about the future and their families. I hope you will as well as we transition to a legacy of AXPOW and wanted to leave a seriously consider whether a final organization. legacy to us. He and his wife are now gift to AXPOW will be the right op- gone, but their generous gift en- tion for you and your family. It’s very simple to make a bequest abled them to demonstrate in a very to the American Ex-Prisoners of War. meaningful way their commitment Please take a few minutes of your Simply share this sentence with your to the organization. time to help. And feel free to con- attorney or financial planner and tact CFO Marsha Coke at 817-649- they can add the following to your You, too can take action today to 2979/[email protected] or will or living trust: help ensure that the American Ex- CEO David Eberly at (757) 508-8453 Prisoners of War is there for return- /[email protected] “I give, devise and bequeath to the American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 Thank you! Ex-POW Bulletin E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arling- Jan/Feb 2017 ton, TX 76010, the sum of $______The Legacy of your love can live or ______(named investment) or 26 on after… taps
Please submit taps notices to: Cheryl Cerbone, 23 Cove View Drive, South Yarmouth, MA 02664
ABBOTT, Dee Elizabeth Thornton BOOHER, Alice Ann, Staff Reporter for the EX-POW Bulletin, passed of Hattiesburg, MS passed away away on Sept. 28, 2016 at the age of 74. She had been a resident of Sept. 24 2016. She was 97. During Washington DC since 1966. Alice was born in Indianapolis, IN and was WWII she joined the US Navy as a the daughter of Drs Norman and Olga Booher. She graduated from WAVE, and advanced to the rank of Butler University with a B.A. degree in political science and economics Chief Petty Officer, retiring after 33 in 1963, and received her LLB and Juris Doctor from Indiana University years of active and reserve duty. In in 1967. She served as a Foreign Service Reserve Officer before join- 1998 she was honored by the city ing the Veteran’s Administration in 1968. From 1969-2011, she served of Hattiesburg as the first woman with distinction as Counsel with the Board of Veteran Appeals. She to be named Veteran of the Year. was admitted to practice before a dozen state and federal benches She was preceded in death by her including the US Supreme Court. Over the years, she had been pro- husband Samuel W. Abbott. “Miss fessionally privileged to work in interesting case adjudication special- Dee” served for 20 years as adju- ties, i.e., malpractice, AIDS; and had personally served on metropolitan tant of the W. Jack Cleere Memorial commissions and boards for criminal and civil codes revision, Chapter, AXPOW. homelessness, veterans, and victims of domestic violence and assaults.
BARR, Alvin, 96, of Cape Fear, NC Alice had been continuously involved in a myriad of Veteran oriented died Oct. 1, 2016. While serving with projects, with particular devotion to the Armed Forces Retirement the 1st Army, 78th Div., 310th Reg., 3rd Home in Washington DC. Alice served as an independent book reviewer Bn., L Co., he was captured in the and journalist for national print media, with special emphasis on Pris- Battle of the Bulge and held in Stalag oners of War, women veterans, and Intelligence. Published in over 15 12A, then marched until liberation. Journals, in 2015 she was the editor and contributing author of the He was a life member of AXPOW, book, Glimpses of the New Veteran: Changed Constituency, Different holding all offices in the Cape Fear Disabilities, and Evolving Resolutions. Chapter. He leaves his loving wife of 74 years, Peggy, one daughter Alice is survived by three brothers, John, Robert, and Phil Booher. A and her family. celebration of her life will coincide this winter with Tet, Alice’s most celebrated holiday since her Viet Nam service. She is missed. BERG, Ruth, of Tampa, FL passed 15th AF. His plane was shot down, etery. He is survived by 2 daugh- away Sept. 7, 2016. She and her late he was captured and held in Stalag ters, 8 grandchildren and 20 great- husband, Harold (WWII POW) were Lufts 4 and 1 until liberation. Frank grandchildren. life members of AXPOW. Survivors was an active life member for many include one son, Allan. years with AXPOW – both at the lo- CARMODY, Thomas L., of cal and national levels. He was a Escanaba, MI died Oct. 1, 2016. He BRUMMOND, Mary Jo, of Crystal National Director and Jr. Vice Com- was 91. During WWII, he was cap- Lake, IL, wife of Bruce Brummond, mander. He served as a National Ser- tured while serving in the Army, 45th died October 27, 2016 at the age vice Officer for the organization, Div., 180th Inf. in the Battle of the of 100. Married in 1942, she en- helping veterans get the entitle- Bulge. Tom was a member of dured her husband’s capture and ments they deserved. He was the AXPOW. Survivors include his wife captivity and celebrated his release. “VETERAN OF THE YEAR” in the San of nearly 70 years, Betty, 1 son and Both were active members of the Diego Veterans Day Parade. He took many nieces and nephews. Central Minnesota Chapter, AXPOW. the most pride in advocating for his In addition to her loving husband of fellow POWs by starting support GIDEON, Willard Selleck, of 74 years, Mary Jo leaves 1 daugh- groups and helping them to receive Charleston, SC died Oct. 10, 2016. ter, 4 sons, 10 grandchildren, 12 their veteran benefits. The chapter He was 85. While flying his 55th mis- great-grandchildren and families. had a bust made of him, and had it sion, he was shot down and taken placed in the VARO. He was relent- prisoner by the North Vietnamese. BURGER, Francis passed away Oct. less in his support of the effort to Ex-POW Bulletin 10, 2016 in San Diego, CA at the age place a 25' tall statue of a POW at of 98. He was a “Crew Chief” on a “LIBERATION” at the entrance to the Jan/Feb 2017 th st B-24 “Liberator”, 725 BS , 451 BG, new San Diego Mirmar National Cem- 27 zona. He was in the 1st Ranger Bat- REMPELAKIS, Mary P., of talion and held in Stalag 344. He is Framingham, MA died Nov. 18, 2016. .taps cont’d... survived by his wife of 66 years, She was the widow of Ex-POW He was held captive for 2,402 days, Roberta, and two sons. Emanuel “Rumpy”. She is survived by almost 7 years. After being freed 1 son, 1 daughter, 2 grandchildren during Operation Homecoming, he MIMS, John L., of Aberdeen, NC and their families. attended the University of Nebraska died Nov. 27, 2016 at the age of 94. and then worked at the Charleston In 1941, he was assigned to Co. B, RIVET, Roger, of Bedford, MA died st st Air Force Base until his retirement 1 Bn., 31 Inf. Reg. and sent to the Sept. 17, 2016 at the age of 92. He in 1983. His wife, Jeannine prede- Philippines. After capture on Bataan, was the beloved husband of Irene ceased him; he leaves two children, he endured the Bataan Death March, for 69 years. Roger served with the three stepchildren, eight grandchil- then 3 ½ years of captivity. He cred- 3rd Inf. in the Africa Campaign. He dren and five great-grandchildren. ited his late wife, Juanita with his was captured at Anzio Beach and survival. He is survived by his wife held in Stalag 344. He escaped twice, GILBERT, Elizabeth Ann of Nena, 4 sons, 4 stepchildren, 21 was recaptured, then finally escaped Poplarville, MS passed away August grandchildren, and numerous great- near war’s end. He and Irene were 7, 2016 at the age of 91. She was a grandchildren, great-great-grandchil- life members of AXPOW and MA member of the W. “Jack” Cleere Me- dren, and nieces and nephews. Chapter #1. In addition to his wife, morial Chapter, AXPOW. Her hus- he leaves 4 children and many band, ex-POW Cragin, predeceased MONTOYA, Tony, of Woodland CA, grandchildren. her. Survivors include 1 son, 2 died July 22, 2016. Tony served with grandchildren and 2 great-grandchil- the 200 Coast Artillery, was captured SICILIANO, Marshall, of the Bronx, dren. and held in the Philippine Island, and NY passed away July 12, 2016. Dur- was on the Oroku Maru Hellship. An ing WWII, he was captured while HROBAK, Charles J., 91, of New AXPOW life member since 1979, he serving in Tunisia. He was sent to Kensington, PA passed away Nov. 3, is survived by his wife of 70 years, Stalag 2B near Hammerstein, Prussia 2016. Charlie served in the Army Juanita. and held more than 2 ½ years. during WWII and the Korean War; he MURRAY, ERNEST G. “JIM”, 91, of Marshall was an active member of was captured in Korea while serv- Vernon, VT, died October 27, 2016. AXPOW and the Greater NY Chap- ing with the 7th Reg., 3rd Div, 7th Inf. He was a life member of Vermont ter. He leaves extended family and Div. He was a member of AXPOW, Chapter #1 and served as Jr. Vice many friends. Korean Ex-POWs, and other veter- Commander for the last ten years. ans associations. Surviving him is his During WWII, he enlisted in the U.S. SPENCER, George Wilbur, 93, of loving wife of 62 years, Mary Gorta, Army and served with the 310th Inf., Grants Pass, OR died May 8, 2016. 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 78th Div. stationed in Germany. He George enlisted in the Army in 1941 many nieces and nephews. was taken prisoner during the Battle and was sent to Corregidor. He was of the Bulge and was held captive captured, taken to Camp O’Donnell MacARTHUR, Stanley W., 96, of in several POW camps until libera- and assigned to a prison camp Mesa, AZ died Nov. 9, 2016. During tion. He is survived by his wife of where he worked coal mines, an air- WWII, he served with the 8th AF, 70 years, Evelyn, three sons, three port and dock for 3 ½ years. His wife 384th BG, 457th BS. He was shot grandchildren and five great grand- of 50 years, Martha survives him; he down, captured and held in 7A, Dulag children. also leaves 1 son, 2 stepsons and Luft and Stalag 17B until liberation. grandchildren and great-grandchil- Stan was a life member of AXPOW POLLARD, Ben Marksbury, of San dren. and past commander of the East Diego, CA passed away Nov. 11, Valley Chapter. He leaves his wife, 2016. Serving in the Air Force, Ben TIERNEY, Richard A., Sr., 99, of Joan, 1 son, 1 stepdaughter, 5 was selected to fly the F105 for pos- Lewiston, ID passed away July 2, grandchildren, 10 great-grandchil- sibly one of the most dangerous 2016. In 1942 he enlisted in the dren, and 1 great-great-grandson. missions in Vietnam as the first crew AAC and was assigned to the 381st in Ryan’s Raiders. He was shot down BG flying out of Ridgewell Aero- MILEWSKI, Teddy, of Sun City, Ari- on his 11th mission and held almost drome, England. He participated in zona, passed away September 9, six years in the Hanoi Hilton. Ben the D-Day invasion, was captured in 2016. Teddy was a member of the served as President of NamPOW and Sept., then held in Luft I, Barth until Agua Fria Chapter, Sun City, Ari- was a life member of AXPOW. He liberation. Dick served as a veter- leaves his adored wife, Joan, 2 chil- ans service officer for many years. Ex-POW Bulletin dren and 4 grandchildren. In his He is survived by 1 son, 3 stepchil- Jan/Feb 2017 words, “We had many twists and dren, and a number of grandchildren 28 turns, but Life was a Blast! and great-grandchildren. Will They Come Home?
Our loved ones heard the call to arms Some killed, some lost, Will they come home? whose names we know To offer help, to keep from harm They can’t come home Will they come home? They won’t come home Could they do less than heed the call? So many went, and some would fall But what of those who were not slain Most did come home, but no, not all Will they come home? Where are they now? No peace, small hope, to dream seems vain Will they come home? Will they come home? In prison held with cruel bond The need is great, beyond belief Their call cries out, shall we respond? Will they come home? We must not quit ‘til day has dawned To help, to aid, to give relief And they come home Will they come home? Against a changing, faceless foe And they come home! Our brave have stood, and thus ‘tis so
Ralph Verdu Bethel Baptist Church 511 Shenandoah Road Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 845-226-7973
produces an action. If I feel hun- Do you think you can go days with- chaplain ger, I get something to eat. If noth- out food? The answer is “No”. Most ing else, crackers and peanut but- enjoy eating. We expect to eat ter or ramen noodles. several meals every day.
The point is, I do something about Similarly, God expects us to spend my hunger. time with Him. Part of that time is reading the Scriptures, part is Prayer Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are they and part is thinking about God. which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be Are you hungry for Him today? filled.” My prayer for each of you is; If you Psalms 81:10 “I am the Lord thy God, are spiritually hungry, that you will ND Benny which brought thee out of the land be filled. Amen. Rayborn of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”
Just as we eat, so we need to fill Have You Ever Been Hungry? ourselves on God, on knowledge about God. Knowledge as to what Our P.O.W.’s are going “Yeah, sure God wants you to do. Have you have”. But what about the rest of spiritual hunger? my readers? Have you ever been hungry? So hungry your stomach It is amazing, most of us eat three growls? Have you ever felt an meals a day, yet many of us do not BennyBennyBenny empty feeling in your stomach? attend worship services. Ex-POW Bulletin If you were hungry, what hap- Jan/Feb 2017 pened? For most of us, hunger 29 Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2017 ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO 30 AXPOW OR AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR 50/50 drawing June 25, 2016 Arlington, TX
The National 4th (IVY) Division Association 1st Place ERNEST SMITH, KS $238.20 2nd Place JOHN ROBERTS, MI $178.65 3rd Place MARGARET MAHYFIELD, MS $119.10 Formed at Camp Greene, NC, on November 17, 4th Place NANCY GARRIDO, OK $59.55 1917 for service in World War I. The “IVY Division” has a long and distinguished heritage that continues These drawings help raise money needed for our through World War II, the Cold War in Europe, operating expenses. They allow our members Vietnam, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation to participate in a very worthwhile project, while Enduring Freedom. giving them a chance to win. 50% of the dona- tions will be given to the General Fund and the Membership in the Association is open to all other 50% are awarded as prizes. The amounts former Veterans and currently serving Soldiers are determined after all donations are received. of the 4th ID and attached units. The 96th Annual You do not have to be present to win. Please Reunion will be September 9-14, 2014, in make copies of the tickets on the other side and Lexington, Kentucky. offer them to your Chapter members, family and friends. We are asking $5.00 for 6 tickets. Check our website at www.4thinfantry.org for membership and reunion information. These donations are not tax deductible. Fill out the tickets and send them and your donations to: “Steadfast and Loyal” National Headquarters ~ 50/50 Drawing 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, #40 Arlington, TX 76010-5396
request for The 106th Infantry membership application Division Association American Ex-Prisoners Organized at Camp Lucky Strike 1945 active of War since 1946
If you are a former 106th Infantry Division vet, were th th Name: ______attached to the 106 , a relative of a 106 veteran, you are eligible for membership in the Association. Address:______City/State/Zip:______The CUB Magazine is published three times Membership is open to US Military and Civilians per year. Published since 1946. captured because of their US citizenship and their Annual Reunions held yearly since 1947. families.
Do NOT send dues with this request Jacquelyn Martin, Membership Chairman for an application 121 McGregor Ave. Mail to: Mount Arlington, N.J. 07856 American Ex-Prisoners of War 973-663-2410 3201 East Pioneer Parkway, #40 E-mail: [email protected] Arlington, TX 76010-5936 (817) 649-2979 voice Ex-POW Bulletin (817)649-0109 fax Jan/Feb 2017 e-mail:[email protected] 31 American Ex-Prisoners of War American Ex-Prisoners of War 50/50 Drawing 50/50 Drawing PLEASE PRINT Name:______Telephone: ( )______PLEASE PRINT Name:______Telephone: ( )______Address:______Address:______City/State/Zip:______City/State/Zip:______
Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing. Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing. Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated. Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated. Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of War Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of War and entry to: 50/50 Drawing and entry to: 50/50 Drawing 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010-5396 Arlington, TX 76010-5396
You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct- You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deductible. ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter. Thank you for your support. (6/17) Thank you for your support. (6/17)
American Ex-Prisoners of War American Ex-Prisoners of War 50/50 Drawing 50/50 Drawing PLEASE PRINT PLEASE PRINT Name:______Telephone: ( )______Name:______Telephone: ( )______
Address:______Address:______
City/State/Zip:______City/State/Zip:______
Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing. Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing. Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated. Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated. Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of War Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of War and entry to: 50/50 Drawing and entry to: 50/50 Drawing 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010-5396 Arlington, TX 76010-5396 You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct- You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deductible. ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter. Thank you for your support. (6/17) Thank you for your support. (6/17)
American Ex-Prisoners of War American Ex-Prisoners of War 50/50 Drawing 50/50 Drawing PLEASE PRINT PLEASE PRINT Name:______Telephone: ( )______Name:______Telephone: ( )______
Address:______Address:______
City/State/Zip:______City/State/Zip:______Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing. Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing. Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated. Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated. Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of War Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of War and entry to: 50/50 Drawing and entry to: 50/50 Drawing 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010-5396 Arlington, 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. You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deductible. Thank you for your support. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter. Ex-POW Bulletin (6/17) Thank you for your support. (6/17) Jan/Feb 2017 32 AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR VOLUNTARY FUNDING PROGRAM
The AXPOW Voluntary Giving Program parallels that of other VSOs, whereby the 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 National Headquarters to be used for the operation of the organization. A complete accounting of contributors will appear in the Bulletin each issue.
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 Funding Mail contributions to: National Headquarters American Ex-Prisoners of War 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010
Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2017 33 AXPOW Gravesite Medallion AXPOW Challenge Coin Name Badge Order Form (for members only) Actual size of badge is size of a credit card PLEASE PRINT:
Name ______Line 1 ______Line 2 ______The Medallion is 4", Bronze/Brown with Lacquer. Hardware for Name Badge with name & chapter mounting is included. Weight - approximately 1.25 lb. and city: $6.00(includes S/H) check with your local cemetery great gifts...great hand- before ordering to see if medallions Ship to: ______outs...great way to show your are permitted. pride in your organization Street ______AXPOW Logo on front/Five services on reverse $100.00 includes shipping/ City/State/Zip ______handling/insurance $10.00ea
Official AXPOW Cap (specify size) 40.00 Special Prayer Cards (pkg of 25) 6.00 Vinyl Cap Bag 3.00 AXPOW By-Laws 5.00 Necktie w/logo (regular only) 30.00 12x18 AXPOW Graveside Flag 10.00 U.S. Flag Bolo Tie 20.00 Aluminum License Plate 5.00 Mini POW Medal Bolo Tie 30.00 3” Vinyl Decal 1.00 Barbed Wire Pin 3.00 3” Inside Decal 1.00 Brooch pin 5.00 8” Vinyl Decal 6.00 EX-POW pin (goldtone) 5.00 12” Vinyl Decal 10.00 Logo pin 5.00 AXPOW Prayer Book 2.00 POW Stamp pin 3.00 Ladies Prayer Book 1.00 Past Chapter Commander pin 5.00 POW DVD – ETO or Pacific 11.00 Past Department Commander pin 5.00 “Speak Out” Education Packet 8.00 Magnetic Ribbons 5.00 Challenge Coins 10.00 CLOTH STRIPES (specify which title) 3.00 Eagle pin w/Barbed Wire (silver) 8.00 Life Member · Chapter Commander · Chaplain · Historian · Past Vest Chainguard 8.00 Chapter Commander ·Chapter Adj/Treas ·Chapter Adjutant ·Chapter 4” Blazer Patch 4.00 Treasurer · Dept Commander ·Past Dept Commander 2” Medallion (for plaque) 6.00 Dep’t Treasurer · Dep’t Adjutant·Sr. Vice Commander · Jr. Vice Canvas Totebag w/4” logo 15.00 Commander · Service Officer · Legislative Officer·Past Chapter Officer AXPOW Notecards (pkg of 25) 6.00 · Past Department Officer
QUANTITY ITEM SIZE / COLOR PRICE
For orders up to 4.00, add $3.00; For orders 4.01 to 7.99, add $4.00; For orders 8.00 to 25.00, Shipping/Handling/Insurance: add $8.00, For orders 25.01 to 49.99, add $13.00; For orders 50.00 to 99.99, add $15.00 For orders over 100.00, add $20.00 Checks/Money Order Total: $
Name ______Address ______FOR ALL ORDERS, MAIL TO: City, State, Zip ______AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR Phone ______3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, Texas 76010-5396 817-649-2979 [email protected] Veterans Day 2016~ Washington, DC All orders for products sold by Bronze Grave Medallions AXPOW National Organization, including dues/subscriptions should be mailed to: American Ex-Prisoners of War National Headquarters 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010-5396 (817) 649-2979 e-mail: [email protected] No collect calls, please
Thank you for supporting the American Ex-POWS with your purchases of National Merchandise. $100.00 includes S/H/I change of address form Include 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.
Please print: Name______Address______City/State/Zip______Phone ( )______Email ______Please allow 4 weeks to make address corrections.
Mail to: National Headquarters, AXPOW, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010-5396 Or fax: (817) 649-0109 Or e-mail: [email protected]