EX-POW BULLETIN the official voice of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Volume 71 www .axpo w .or g Number 11/12

November/December 2014

We exist to help those who cannot help themselves

Lessons Taught and Learned: SERE

table of contents Nov/Dec 2014 officers/directors 4 commander 5 nso 6 medsearch 7 andersonville 12 Love legislative 13 namPOW 14 pow-mia 15 civilian 16 Joy events, looking for 17 “Unspoken” 18 Richmond POWS 20 “To Hell & Back” 24 SERE 27 Peace voluntary funding 31 contributions 32 new members 33 taps 34 chaplain 36 Joyous Christmas raffle 39 Happy Hanukkah quartermaster 42 from Cheryl, Clydie, Marsha, Donna, Sally National Commander Skip Moore Publisher National Board of Directors PNC Maurice Sharp 9716 54th Street CT West University Place, WA 98467(253) 565-0444 [email protected] Website for US Army Awards and Decorations: Editor http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armymedals/l/blarmedal.htm Cheryl Cerbone 23 Cove View Drive UMB Credit Card South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Every time a member – or member’s family or friends – signs (508) 394-5250 up for the new UMB credit card (which features our marching [email protected] men on the face), AXPOW receives $50.00. That’s like making Intrepid Staff Reporter a $50 donation to the organization when you sign up. We also get a percentage of every dollar spent if you use the card each Alice A Booher month. You also get benefits from using the card...there is no Deadline for the Jan/Feb 2015 annual fee and at the end of the year, you’ll receive a statement issue is Dec 1, 2014. of your annual charges, broken down by category. Makes filing Please send all materials to your taxes easier! the editor at the above address. So benefits for us and benefits for you. Won’t you take a few minutes and apply for this card today?

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.

© 2014 American Ex-Prisoners of War Ex-POW Bulletin Nov/Dec 2014 3 axpow officers & directors 2014-2015 National Headquarters - Clydie J. Morgan, Executive Director/Treasurer, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy, #40, Arlington, TX 76010 (817) 649-2979 (817) 649-0109 fax [email protected] Officers Directors National Commander North East Region North Central Region Milton “Skip” Moore 2965 Sierra Bermeja Charles A. Susino John W Clark Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 951 Gates Ave. 1201 S Johnmeyer Ln (520)459-7295;(520)533-3757 fax Piscataway, NJ 08854 Columbia MO 65203 [email protected] (732)463-8355; (732)221-0073-C (573) 445-3621 [email protected] [email protected] National Sr Vice Commander David Claypool Edward L. DeMent Cheryl Cerbone PO Box 38 8735 Doral Oaks Dr., #1617 23 Cove View Drive Hampton MN 55031 Temple Terrace, FL 33617 South Yarmouth, MA 02664 (612) 245-2247 (813) 985-3783; (727) 343-3607 (508)394-5250; (508)760-2008 fax [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] South Central Region National Judge Advocate PNC Jack Warner East Central Region Jan Williams PO Box 117 PO Box 366 Hammon, OK 73650 David Eberly Hammon OK 73650 (580) 821-1526 205 Roger Webster (580) 821-2376 [email protected] Williamsburg, VA 23185 (757) 253-9553 [email protected] [email protected] National Chaplain Ben Garrido ND Benny Rayborn 6813 W 60th Street 1111 Highway 29 Southeast Region Tulsa OK 74107 Wiggins, MS 39577 (951) 313-9838 (601) 928-9200 [email protected] [email protected] Benny Rayborn 1111 Highway 29 Jr. Vice Commanders Wiggins, MS 39577 (601) 928-9200; (601) 270-0678, cell Northwest Region [email protected] Judy Lee Bonnie Sharp PO Box 56 Marty Galloway Klumpp 9716 54th Street CT West Madisonville, TN 37354 221 Hallowes Dr S University Place, WA 98467 (423)442-3223; (423)442-4702 fax St Marys GA 31558 (253) 565-0444 [email protected] (912) 673-7315 – Home [email protected] (912) 227-2148 – Cell Pam Warner Eslinger - [email protected] Southwest Region Central Zone PO Box 117 Edward “Ted” Cadwallader Hammon, OK 73650 9501 Nut Tree Court (580) 821-1526 Senior Director Elk Grove, CA 95624 [email protected] James L. Lollar [email protected] 292 VZ CR 3727 Alice Gollin - Wills Point, TX 75169 Western Zone (903)560-1734;(903)560-1705 fax 37231 Turnberry Isle [email protected] Palm Desert, CA 92211 (760)610-1271;(760)610-1752 fax [email protected] Committee addresses appear with their columns see all the board of directors there and anyone else that wants news to attend.

Right now we are in the process from of selecting a new Treasurer. We will do that at the mid winter hq meeting. All of the back taxes and penalties have been paid to the IRS now. We are submitting the last Form 990 thru our CPA this week. We are still operating un- “It’s the Holiday Season!” as Andy der the 501c4 Tax Exempt status. Williams used to croon. I hope The IRS has let us do that. Once National Commander your plans are coming true for everything is turned in we will be you. Milton M Moore, Jr. fully reinstated. We are going to start our Audit this week also. I We are processing renewals for don’t want the outgoing Trea- next year. If you are an annual surer and the incoming Trea- Hello everyone. It has been a won- members, please get your dues in surer to not know where we stand derful two months since I last now. talked to everyone. I have had a in our finances. ton of phone calls and letters The National Board of Directors I want to thank everyone in this from all over the country. I have meeting is Saturday, November organization for all the support been to our Headquarters in Ar- 15, 2014 here in Arlington at the they have given me. This is a tre- lington. Those women are doing Hilton. If you’re in the mendous job and I am learning a bang up job there. I want to neighborhood, drop by. We like so much. Just remember that a thank them very much for the job our members to attend and smile can go a long way. they are doing. I don’t know participate in the meetings. about the rest of the country, but Sierra Vista has had over 15 If you need some gift ideas, how inches of rain since July 4th this about the AXPOW Challenge coin. year. We, the state of Arizona, Only $10 and a great way to share have had a whole lot of flooding your heritage. See the order form in the past month. You have prob- for more information. ably seen it on your local news. Notice The desert is not ready for that Also, the Certificate of Captivity much rain. We had 5 inches in a The American Ex- is a great idea for the former POW. 24 hour period in some places in Prisoners of War Mid- Only $25 and you van include a Sierra Vista. We all did survive. I picture. See page 33 for am not used to this much green. Year Board of Directors information on ordering. Everything is growing so fast out Meeting will be held in here. At least I am getting some Arlington, Texas at the The AXPOW and holiday labels exercise. Mowing grass and pull- Hilton Arlington. will be arriving in your mailboxes ing weeds. Hey exercise is exer- Date: in the next weeks. Enjoy using cise. them and please donate Saturday, generously. Your support keeps November is going to be a very November 15, 2014. this wonderful organization special month for me. I am go- For more information, or vibrant. ing to Washington D.C. for to attend the meeting, Veteran’s Day. This is one occa- please call National We at National Headquarters wish sion that the National Com- you all a safe and happy holiday mander needs to attend. We are Headquarters. For hotel season! all Veterans. I am very honored reservations, please call to be able to represent this orga- the hotel directly. Clydie, Marsha, Donna, Sally nization at such a solemn event. We also have our mid winter Clydie J. Morgan, Ex-POW Bulletin meeting on the 15th of Novem- Nov/Dec 2014 ber, in Arlington, Texas. I hope to Executive Director 5 culprit. As blood flow returns to nso Causes: the extremities upon rewarming, Your body works to stay alive it finds that the blood vessels first, and to stay functioning themselves are injured, also by second. the cold. The vessel walls become permeable and blood leaks out In conditions of prolonged cold into the tissues. Blood flow is exposure, the body sends signals impeded and turbulent and small to the blood vessels in the arms clots form in the smallest vessels and legs telling them to constrict of the extremities. Because of (narrow). By slowing blood flow these blood flow problems, Ruth Powell, Director to the skin, the body is able to complicated interactions occur, 191 Florence Road send more blood to the vital and inflammation causes further Waltham, MA 02453 organs, supplying them with tissue damage. This injury is the 781-899-0726 critical nutrients, while also primary determinant of the preventing a further decrease in amount of tissue damage that internal body temperature by occurs in the end. exposing less blood to the POW Presumptive: outside cold. It is rare for the inside of the cells themselves to be frozen. This Frostbite As this process continues and the phenomenon is only seen in very extremities (the parts farthest rapid freezing injuries, such as Frostbite occurs when tissues from the heart) become colder those produced by frozen metals. freeze. This condition happens and colder, a condition called the when you are exposed to hunter’s response is initiated. Frostbite has been recognized as temperatures below the freezing The body’s blood vessels are a military problem since the point of skin. dilated (widened) for a period of American Civil War. The time and then constricted again. Department of Veterans Affairs Hypothermia is the condition of Periods of dilatation are cycled recognizes frostbite as a service- developing an abnormally low with times of constriction in connected disability for the body temperature. Frostbite and order to preserve as much purpose of presumptive hypothermia are both cold- function in the extremities as compensation for former related medical emergencies. possible. prisoners of war if it is determined that the veteran was The condition has long been However, when the brain senses interned in climatic conditions recognized. A 5000-year-old pre- that the person is in danger of consistent with the occurrence of Columbian mummy discovered hypothermia (when the body frostbite. in the Chilean mountains offers temperature drops significantly the earliest documented evidence below 98.6 F, it permanently of frostbite. constricts these blood vessels in The Department of Veterans Af- order to prevent them from fairs (VA) announced that it is in- More recently, Napoleon’s returning cold blood to the troducing a uniformed disability surgeon general, Baron internal organs. When this claims form to better serve Vet- Dominique Larrey, provided the happens, frostbite has begun. erans, families and survivors. first description of the Standardizing the process by mechanisms of frostbite in 1812, Frostbite is caused by two which Veterans file claims and during his army’s retreat from different means: cell death at the initiate appeals will make it easier Moscow. He also noted the time of exposure and further cell for Veterans and their survivors harmful effects of the freeze- deterioration and death because to clearly state what benefits they thaw-freeze cycle endured by of a lack of oxygen. are seeking from VA and provide soldiers who would warm their information that is necessary to frozen hands and feet over the In the first, ice crystals form in process their claims and appeals. campfire at night only to refreeze the space outside of the cells. The new forms eliminate appli- those same parts by the next Water is lost from the cell’s cant guesswork, which often morning. interior, and dehydration leads to delays in decisions and Ex-POW Bulletin promotes the destruction of the ultimately delays in receiving cell. benefits. The new regulations go Nov/Dec 2014 In the second, the damaged lining into effect in late March 2015. 6 of the blood vessels is the main 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, Suite 40 pow medsearch Arlington, TX 76010 Marsha Coke, Chairman (817) 649-2979 e-mail: [email protected] PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE deprivation determines the long- the tissue. The extremities fur- term effects. thest from the heart are usually CONNECTED affected, with primarily the nose, DISABILITIES 3. BERIBERI ears, fingertips, and toes being Public Law 97-37 Caused by a severe lack of vita- involved. This usually produces (Layman’s Terms) min B1 (thiamine) in the diet. This long-term side effects such as numbness, discoloration, exces- Originally published produces changes in the nerves (both in the brain and extremities) sive swelling, and pain in the af- by William Paul Skelton, Ill, MD and the heart. Brain changes fected area. F.A.C.P. could produce dementia or psy- updated by the Department of chosis. Nervous changes are usu- 6. HELMINTHIASIS Veterans Affairs ally associated with numbness Infection with any type of worms and/or painful feet. Beriberi heart that parasitize the human. Most You should keep these and/or make disease is an acute condition, infections usually resolve spon- copies. Whenever you open your similar to congestive heart fail- taneously either with proper claim, take them with you and make ure, except that the heart pumps treatment or as the natural sure the adjudication officer sees more blood than in normal con- course of the disease. Strongy- them and have him read them! Make gestive heart failure and it is as- loides is known to persist in a sure he knows all about them. Tell him sociated with the presence of an permanent state in humans due your story as it relates to your prob- excessive amount of lactic acid to its ability to re-infect the host. lem. in the body. It is unknown at this time whether this can produce a 7. MALNUTRITION 1. ARTHRITIS, TRAUMATIC chronic state. Merely means bad nutrition. The Also known as articular trauma. nutritional depletion may be ei- This disorder looks and is treated 4. DYSENTERY, CHRONIC ther caloric, vitamin, fatty acid, just like degenerative arthritis A disease characterized by fre- or mineral deficiency, or more (arthritis associated with age) ex- quent and watery stools, usually likely a combination. Depending cept it is caused by severe dam- with blood and mucus, and ac- on the type, intensity, and dura- age to a single or few joints pro- companied by rectal and abdomi- tion, it may yield permanent side ducing early onset arthritis. Since nal pain, fever, and dehydration. effects or no lasting side effects it has a definite cause, it is called This is an infection in the colon at all. a secondary form of arthritis. and can be caused by a multitude This is an extremely difficult di- of different organisms, the most 8. PELLAGRA agnosis to make, but in general common of which is amoeba Literally meaning rough skin in one has to prove that a specific which can produce a mild or se- Italian, also known as black trauma occurred to a single or vere dysentery and possibly be as- tongue in dogs. It is caused by a very few joints, and other changes sociated with a chronic irritable virtual lack of vitamin B3 (niacin) consistent with degenerative ar- colon. Bacillary dysentery is as- in the diet, producing the classical thritis are not present through- sociated with the bacteria shi- trio of diarrhea, dermatitis, and out the rest of the body at the gella, but will not cause a chronic dementia. All are easily treated same time. In short, these state. There are multiple other early on with no side effects. The changes need to be localized. bacteria that can cause dysentery dementia, if left untreated, may which usually do not produce produce permanent mental 2. AVITAMINOSIS chronic states. Viral dysentery deficits. The total lack of vitamins in the can also present like amoebic or diet. This disorder is a fatal con- bacillary dysentery and will not 9. ANY OTHER dition unless it is supplemented produce a chronic state. NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY with vitamins within a few weeks. The lack of protein and calories There fore, most individuals suf- 5. FROSTBITE fer from hypovitaminosis, which The actual freezing of tissue. This Ex-POW Bulletin is a relative deficiency of vita- is graded on a continuum with mins in the diet. The specific one representing mild to four Nov/Dec 2014 type, intensity and duration of representing mummification of 7 heart rate, dry mouth, etc.; (1) Hyperalertness or exaggerated medsearch cont’d... (3) Apprehensive expectations, startle response; in the diet generally produces no anxiety, worry, fear, anticipation (2) Sleep disturbance; lasting side effects. However, vi- of misfortune to himself or (3) Guilt about surviving when tamin deficiencies other than others; others have not; the aforementioned B1 (beriberi) (4) Tendency to insomnia, hyper- (4) Memory impairment or and B3 (pellagra) can have very attentiveness, irritable. trouble concentrating; disastrous effects on one’s body. All these symptoms had to have (5) Avoidance of activities that Also deficiencies of certain fatty lasted at least one month. Also, arouse recollection of the trau- acids and essential minerals in there needs to be an absence of matic event; the diet can have lasting and all other mental disorders and (6) Intensification of symptoms long term sequela. physical disorders which could ex- by exposure to events that sym- plain the symptoms. bolize or resemble the traumatic 10. PSYCHOSIS event. A generic term for any of the in- 13. OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DIS- sanities. Generally, it is thought ORDER 15. ATYPICAL ANXIETY of as a mental disorder causing This may be either obsessions or DISORDER gross disorganization of a compulsions. Obsessions are re- This is a category that is used for person’s mental capacity and his current, persistent ideas or im- diagnosis when the affected indi- ability to recognize reality and pulses that are thoughts that in- vidual appears to have an anxiety communicate with others re- vade consciousness and are expe- disorder that does not meet the garding demands of everyday rienced as senseless or repugnant. criteria for entry into any of the life. Attempts are made to ignore or other known anxiety disorders. suppress them. Compulsions are 11. PANIC DISORDER repetitive and seemingly purpose- 16. DEPRESSIVE NEUROSIS/DYS- Characterized by discrete peri- ful behaviors that are performed THYMIC DISORDER ods of apprehension or fear with in certain similar manners. The Characterized by depressive pe- at least four of the following dur- behavior is felt by the individual riods in which the patient feels ing an attack: shortness of breath, to produce or prevent some fu- sad and/or down and has a loss feelings of heart skipping, chest ture event. Generally, the indi- of interest in the usual activities pain, dizziness, sweating, faint- viduals recognize the senseless- that cause pleasure or involve- ing, trembling, fear of dying, or ness of the behavior and do not ment in usual pastimes. These de- doing something uncontrollable derive pleasure from carrying it pressive periods are separated by during an attack. These attacks out, although it often relieves ten- periods of normal mood, lasting need to occur at least three times sion. Also, the obsessive or com- a few days to a few weeks, but no within a three week period, not pulsive individuals are associated more than a few months at a associated with physical exertion with a significant sense of dis- time. During the depressive pe- or life threatening situations. tress in that it interferes with so- riod, too little sleep or too much Also there needs to be an absence cial or role functioning. sleep, low energy or chronic tired- of severe physical or other men- ness, loss of self esteem, de- tal illness which could cause 14. POST TRAUMATIC STRESS creased effectiveness or produc- these symptoms. DISORDER tivity at work, social withdrawal, The re-experiencing of a trauma loss of interest in pleasurable ac- 12. GENERALIZED of a past recognized stress or that tivities, excessive anger, inability ANXIETY DISORDER can produce symptoms of dis- to respond with apparent plea- Characterized by generalized tress. This re-experiencing needs sure to praise or reward, less ac- persistent anxiety and with at least one of the following: tive or talkative than usual, pes- symptoms of at least three of the (I) Recurrent and intrusive recol- simistic attitude about the future, following four categories: lection of the event; tearful or crying thoughts about (1) Motor tension as character- (2) Recurrent dreams; death or suicide. There are also ized by shaking, jumpiness, (3) Sudden feelings that the no psychotic features present.. trembling and restlessness; trauma was occurring because of (2) Autonomic hyperactivity. an association, an environmental 17. PERIPHERAL such as sweating, cold or or ideational situation. NEUROPATHY clammy hands, high or irregular Also involved is reduced involve- Literally Greek for the suffering Ex-POW Bulletin ment with the external world be- of nerves outside of the brain and ginning after the trauma, re- spinal cord. There are several dif- Nov/Dec 2014 vealed by at least one of the fol- ferent causes for peripheral neu- 8 lowing: ropathy, and vitamin deficiency medsearch cont’d... present in the digestive juices of or loss of balance or coordina- the stomach. tion; or sudden severe headache and possibly mineral deficiency with no known cause. Includes are just two. Other causes to be 20. CIRRHOSIS the three major types of stroke: considered are various toxins The liver, the largest organ in the ischemic, hemorrhagic, and em- such as lead, copper, and mer- body, is essential in keeping the bolic, as well as complications cury, a hereditary predisposition body functioning properly. It re- from stroke. to neuropathy, deposition of moves or neutralizes poisons amyloid or protein produced by from the blood, produces im- 22. HEART & COMPLICATIONS one’s own body mounted in re- mune agents to control infection, Heart disease includes athero- sponse to an infection, infections and removes germs and bacteria sclerotic heart disease, and hy- such as by leprosy, which is the from the blood. It makes proteins pertensive vascular disease (in- most common form of neuropa- that regulate blood clotting and cluding hypertensive heart dis- thy in the world, and multiple produces bile to help absorb fats ease, and hypertension). Is- other less common causes. and fat-soluble vitamins. chemic heart disease and coro- nary artery disease are included 18. IRRITABLE BOWEL In cirrhosis of the liver, scar tis- within this provision. SYNDROME sue replaces normal, healthy tis- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is sue, blocking the flow of blood Complications of atherosclerotic a common disorder of the intes- through the organ and preventing heart disease are included. Com- tines that leads to crampy pain, it from working as it should. plications may include myocar- gas, bloating, and changes in dial infarction (“heart attack”), bowel habits. Some people with Many people with cirrhosis have congestive heart failure (“heart IBS have constipation (difficult or no symptoms in the early stages failure”), and arrhythmia (“irregu- infrequent bowel movements); of the disease. However, as scar lar heart beat”). still others have diarrhea ( fre- tissue replaces healthy cells, liver quent loose stools, often with an function starts to fail and a per- Hypertensive vascular disease re- urgent need to move the bowels); son may experience the following fers to disease associated with el- and some people experience both. symptoms: Exhaustion, fatigue, evated blood pressure. Complica- Sometimes the person with IBS appetite loss, nausea, weakness tions caused by hypertensive vas- has a crampy urge to move the and/or weight loss. Cirrhosis cular disease are included. Dis- bowels but cannot do so. may be diagnosed on the basis of eases arising from viral or bacte- Through the years, IBS has been symptoms, laboratory tests, the rial causes are not included. called by many names - colitis, patient’s medical history, and a mucous colitis, spastic colon, physical examination. A liver bi- 23. OSTEOPOROSIS spastic bowel, and functional opsy will confirm the diagnosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in bowel disease. Most of these which bones become fragile and terms are inaccurate. 21. STROKE & more likely to break. If not pre- COMPLICATIONS vented or if left untreated, os- 19. PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE A stroke occurs when the blood teoporosis can progress pain- A peptic ulcer is a sore or hole in supply to part of the brain is sud- lessly until a bone breaks. These the lining of the stomach or denly interrupted or when a broken bones occur typically in duodenum (the first part of the blood vessel in the brain bursts, the hip, spine, and wrist. small intestine). In addition to spilling blood into the spaces sur- the pain caused by the ulcer itself, rounding brain cells. Brain cells Any bone can be affected, but of peptic ulcers give rise to such die when they no longer receive special concern are fractures of complications as hemorrhage oxygen and nutrients from the the hip and spine. A hip fracture from the erosion of a major blood or there is sudden bleed- almost always requires hospital- blood vessel; perforation of the ing into or around the brain. ization and major surgery. Spinal wall of the stomach or intestine, or vertebral fractures also have with resultant peritonitis; or ob- The symptoms of a stroke in- serious consequences, including struction of the gastrointestinal clude sudden numbness or weak- loss of height, severe back pain, tract because of spasm or swell- ness, especially on one side of the and deformity. ing in the area of the ulcer. The body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understand- direct cause of peptic ulcers is the Ex-POW Bulletin destruction of the gastric or in- ing speech; sudden trouble see- testinal mucosal lining by hydro- ing in one or both eyes; sudden Nov/Dec 2014 chloric acid, an acid normally trouble with walking, dizziness, 9 medsearch cont’d... Eligibility Stroke and its complications. There are a variety of benefits available to veterans, regardless On or after October 10, 2008, Quick Guide to Title 38, of their former branch of ser- Osteoporosis, if the Secretary Code of Federal vice. The range of degree of determines that the veteran has Regulations concerning benefits are different based on posttraumatic stress disorder the nature and cause of disabili- (PTSD). former Prisoners of War. ties and wartime service. (2) If the veteran: Structure 38 CFR 3.309 (c) (i) Is a former prisoner of war Title 38 of the Code of Federal Presumptive Service and; Regulations is divided into two Connection (ii) Was interned or detained for volumes with 46 parts. (c) Diseases specific as to former not less than 30 days, the follow- prisoners of war. ing diseases shall be service con- Volume 1 is divided into 17 nected if manifest to a degree of parts. The items include proce- (1) If a veteran is a former pris- 10 percent or more at any time dures for determining disabili- oner of war, the following dis- after discharge or release from ties as a result of military ser- eases shall be service connected active military, naval, or air ser- vice, veteran loans, life insur- if manifest to a degree of dis- vice even though there is no ance, medical benefits, legal ability of 10 percent or more at record of such disease during services, property of deceased any time after discharge or re- service, provided the rebuttable veterans and administrative lease from active military, na- presumption provisions of § rules. val, or air service even though 3.307 are also satisfied. there is no record of such dis- Volume 2 is divided into 29 ease during service, provided Avitaminosis. parts. This volume includes the the rebuttable presumption pro- veterans benefits for home visions of § 3.307 are also satis- Beriberi (including beriberi heart loans, small business loans, na- fied. disease). tional cemeteries, grants for col- leges and towns and the Fisher Psychosis. Chronic dysentery. House for wounded veterans and family members. Any of the anxiety states. Helminthiasis. History The care for veterans who Dysthymic disorder (or depres- Malnutrition (including optic at- fought wars dates back 1636 sive neurosis). rophy associated with malnutri- when the Plymouth Colony tion). passed a law to protect those Organic residuals of frostbite, if who were disabled as a result of it is determined that the vet- Pellagra. fighting the Pequot Indians. eran was interned in climatic Veteran care facilities were state conditions consistent with the Any other nutritional deficiency. run until 1917, when the U.S. occurrence of frostbite. Irritable bowel syndrome. Congress established a program for veterans benefits. The actual Post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Peptic ulcer disease. Veterans Administration was formally established in 1930. Atherosclerotic heart disease or Peripheral neuropathy except hypertensive vascular disease where directly related to infec- (including hypertensive heart tious causes. disease) and their complica- tions (including myocardial in- Cirrhosis of the liver. Ex-POW Bulletin farction, congestive heart fail- ure, arrhythmia). Nov/Dec 2014 On or after September 28, 2009, 10 Osteoporosis. 1. Santo Tomas prison camp 10. POWs at Cabanatuan 11. Bilibid POW hospital 12. Bataan Death March, internees Lee Rogers and Camp 3 beaten with clubs. ward, Philippine Islands. April 1942. John Todd.

4. 2. Pvt. Robert Collins & M/ 3. Pfc. Robert Brandon Nichols Field Detail, PI, 5. An American POW suf- Sgt. Woodrow Haines back rations Red Cross parcels, taken at Pasay Schoolhouse. fering from dry beri-beri be- behind UN lines, Chechon, Stalag IX-B. ing treated in Bilibid. Korea.

8. Three American POWS 7. Survivors of Suchon released by the Viet Cong Tunnel Massacre, Korea. near Tay Ninh City. POW Photos Order Form These black & white 8x10” photographs are available from MedSearch. Please include a donation of $5.00 6. 9. Private Joe Demler and per picture, or $50.00 for the complete set of 12 with Nick Mustacchia. 100 another POW are liberated your order. Fill out the form below with selections. days as a POW -- 100 lb. from XII-A, Limburg. weight loss. Stalag Luft IV. Fill in the number of copies Checks payable to AXPOW of each picture desired in the Mail to:AXPOW National Headquarters blank beside the picture’s 3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 identification number: Arlington, TX 76010. PH: 817-649-2979; fax 817-649-0109 1._____5._____9._____ Name ______2._____6._____10.____ Address ______3._____7._____11.____ City/State/Zip ______4._____8._____12.____ Credit Card: MasterCard ______VISA ______Card # ______Expiration: ______Set of 12 photos______Total Amount Enclosed or Charged Ex-POW Bulletin ($5.00 per picture/$50.00 for set of 12) ______Nov/Dec 2014 11 Floyd Thompson, who was held pris- perience. We know he will work hard andersonville oner of war in Vietnam for nearly nine to strengthen the park’s bonds with years. At the dedication a number local community leaders and other of former POWs and friends of Colo- stakeholders.” nel Thompson spoke and shared their memories of him, and a flag was Sellars began his National Park Ser- presented to his daughter. During vice (NPS) career in 1985 as a tempo- the program, the rary engineering draftsman at the Stalag XVIIB Survi- Blue Ridge Parkway. In 1986 he ac- vors made a cepted a permanent position with the $24,000 donation parkway as an engineering draftsman, to the Friends of and in 1988 he became a civil engi- Andersonville, neering technician. In 1996 he be- Andersonville NHS which was accepted by Friends of came the Maintenance Mechanic Su- 496 Cemetery Road Andersonville board member Randy pervisor within the parkway’s Pisgah Andersonville, GA 31711 Jones and Acting Superintendent District. (229) 924-0343 Eric Leonard. Over 100 former POWs The week of POW/MIA Recognition and their families were on site for In 1998, Sellars moved to Bandelier Day is always very busy at the services, and many spent the National Monument in Los Alamos, Andersonville National Historic Site. morning touring the National Pris- N.M., as chief of facility management. Throughout the week, the park spon- oner of War Museum. National POW/ Sellars returned to the Blue Ridge sored and hosted a series of spe- MIA Recognition Day served as a Parkway in 2000 as the Ridge Dis- cial programs to commemorate the public debut for the rehabilitation trict facility manager. In 2002 he sacrifices made by those Americans of “Those Who Wait” exhibit, which moved to Big South Fork National who have been held prisoner of war. was made possible by a generous River and Recreation Area in Ken- On Wednesday, September 17, the donation to the Friends of tucky and Tennessee as the chief of park sponsored the annual POW Con- Andersonville by the estate of former facility management. vocation at Georgia Southwestern POW George Matuch. State University in Americus, Geor- Sellars moved to the Outer Banks gia. Former Vietnam POW Colonel The National Park Group of North Carolina in 2004 to Wayne Waddell shared with more Service has also take the position of chief of facility than 300 students his experiences announced an- management. In that role he managed of captivity in North Vietnam. The nounced the selec- facility operations at Cape Hatteras event was moderated by tion of Charles National Seashore, Wright Brothers Andersonville National Cemetery Sellars as superin- National Memorial and Fort Raleigh Administrator Kim Robins. On Thurs- tendent of National Historic Site. In 2012 day, September 18, The Korean War Andersonville National Historic Site Sellars served as the acting superin- Ex-POW Association donated their in Americus, Ga., effective November tendent of Fort Donelson National organization’s flag to the National 2. Sellars has been serving as the Battlefield and National Cemetery. Prisoner of War Museum. deputy chief of facility management for Great Smoky Mountains National “I consider it an honor to be selected On Friday, Septem- Park since 2008. as the superintendent of ber 19, the annual Andersonville National Historic Site,” Ride Home pro- “We are very proud to have Charles Sellars said. “I look forward to work- gram dedicated a join our Southeast leadership team ing with the park staff, volunteers memorial marker in as superintendent of Andersonville,” and partners in continuing to pre- the national cemetery to Colonel National Park Service Southeast Re- serve the stories of all American pris- gional Director Stan Austin said. “He oners of war, and to honor the sacri- Ex-POW Bulletin has served many parks in the region fices of all veterans as we care for Nov/Dec 2014 in various capacities and has a the National Cemetery.” 12 broad base of knowledge and ex- compensation and Dependency 2014-2015 Legislative and Indemnity compensation for legislative Committee surviving spouses and children. PNC Charles Susino, Jr. The increase is tied to the social ND Charles Anthony Susino security index and once deter- [email protected] mined will be effective Dec. 1, 2014. many of the report’s recommen- dations, and also advised that During September, legislation changing culture takes time, and that would extend several VFW- that he intends to meet with em- supported programs cleared Con- ployees, union leaders and other gress. The bill, HR 5404, would stakeholders to begin to work to- extend a requirement that the VA gether on that change. provide nursing home care to PNC Charles Susino Jr During September the House VA certain veterans with service-con- Chairman committee approved several pro- nected disabilities, and reautho- posed Bills designed to improve rize a grant program for home- With federal mid-term elections the lives of veterans and their less veterans with special needs. upon us, it is critical that veter- families. It would also allow the VA to con- ans and their families get out and tinue collecting co-payments for vote for members of Congress Some of the other bills that hospital care and nursing home that represent our interests in cleared the Committee include: care. All the programs were set supporting the quality of life for to expire on Sept. 30. The bill now those that have served our coun- * HR 4399 – Performance ac- heads to the President for signa- try. It is important to extend our countability within the VA ture. influence and participate in let- management ter writing and visible and heard * HR 4276 — Veterans Trau- In September, the Defense Depart- at public forums. matic Brain Injury Care Im- ment announced a new decision provement Act of 2014 en- that will enable Vietnam veterans Ask your elected officials how hances assisted living pilots and others to request upgrades they plan to address the VA program to include commu- to their less-than-honorable mili- healthcare access issue, provide nity based living centers tary discharges due to an extenu- the necessary funding, and ensure * HR 4971 – Ask Veterans Act ating factor not known or recog- accountability. Do they plan to requires VA to the conduct a nized at the time of their separa- end Budget Sequestration and veterans’ satisfaction survey. tion, Post-Traumatic Stress Dis- provide what Department of De- The bill also included the Clas- order. While this decision does fense needs to take care of our sified Veterans Act and the not represent a blanket approval troops and their families? Veterans Access to Speedy Re- for every upgrade request, it does view Act. open an avenue for those veter- Since the President signed into * HR 4862 –Our Vets deserve ans who may have been diag- law The Veterans Access, Choice Better Act authorizes VA to nosed with PTSD years after sepa- and Accountability Act of 2014, meet with special advisory ration to submit new evidence the Inspector General issued committees to make recom- and hopefully correct an injus- their final report after months of mendations on how to im- tice from the past. investigating wrongdoing at the prove health care delivery. VA Phoenix Hospital system. The * HR 5404 – VA Expiring Au- As a reminder, you can research investigation reviewed the care of thorities Act reauthorizes the status of any Bill in Congress over 3,400 patients and included many critical existing VA pro- by accessing the website interviews with 79 employees. grams through 2015 govtrack.us and search by Bill Issues identified poor quality of number or subject. Politicians care and inappropriate schedul- Both the House and Senate have must hear from us to take the ing practices. It did not conclu- passed the Veterans’ Compensa- correct action! sively link wait times to any vet- tion Cost-of-Living Adjustment erans’ death but uncovered lapses Act of 2014, Bill S2258 and as of in follow-up, coordination, qual- our Bulletin going to print, is ity and continuity of care. VA Sec- awaiting the President’s signa- Ex-POW Bulletin retary McDonald has stated that ture. The Bill will provide an in- Nov/Dec 2014 the VA is continuing to address crease in veterans’ disability 13 and without any hint-of-shame In the Son Tay prison camp, I namPOWs optimist! remember hearing the Christmas story according to Marx and From the day in June 1966 when Lenin on the camp P.A. system. I’d parachuted into North Summarized here with apologies Vietnam from my burning A-4 for a 50 year-old memory: Skyhawk and been immediately captured, I was convinced my Jesus was a poor working man internment would last six who was being exploited by the months to a year (at most). capitalistic foreign invader Pontius Pilate, But Jesus rallied So now I was approaching my the masses against the first Christmas in Hanoi. Last imperialist colonialists and for Paul E. Galanti year my squadron and ship had that he was martyred by the 804.389.1668 (cell) been at sea flying combat criminal invaders. Moral. We are [email protected] missions off the coast of South all the same. Only the U.S. Vietnam but we’d had a “stand- government exploiting its down” for Christmas day, itself. lackeys in South Vietnam, like the Christmas in Hanoi (x7) Roman imperialists, are The meal aboard ship had been a attempting to enslave the heroic Heartbreak Hotel interrogation traditional Christmas dinner. “Vietnamese people.” A long prison. Hanoi December 25, 1966. diatribe against “Johnson, And now with delightful aromas McNamara and Dean Rusk” would It was bitter cold and damp. I’d emanating from the usually follow followed by exhortations been a POW for a little more than pungent cellblock, my morale to “side with the Vietnamese six months with much of it in a skyrocketed – and mouth people” as opposed to following sweltering solitary confinement. watered. My emaciated 100 lb. blindly “The U.S. Government.” Fifty of us had been paraded frame longed for something that through Hanoi’s city streets as tasted as good as the aroma that Each year the Christmas thousands of Vietnamese drifted through the window “celebration” in four or five chanted obscenities and threw boards. different prisons went about the various objects at us at the urging same. of their communist political When the meal came, it was a commissars. small chunk of turkey flavored In 1972, several hundred of us with nuoc mam, the Vietnamese were in a mountain camp near I’d had severe, brutal fish sauce. And some white rice. Lang Son near the Chinese interrogation sessions that had And a banana. And even a few sips border. It was somehow different. left my emaciated body of beer. I remember thinking about the screaming in pain. Our daily last eight Christmases – 1965, meals of watery pumpkin gruel It’s obviously a good sign. We’d 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and rice had recently changed to be going home soon! And I was 1971, 1972 — all of them in sewer greens and rice twice a day. never going to complain about WESTPAC on cruise or in POW A mouth-watering scent wafted food again. Camps. I thought, “You know, I’ve through the boarded up windows been here a long time. (But felt momentarily eclipsing the harsh, We didn’t go home that year but, better when I realized that I was a sewer smell of the toilet bucket. for whatever reason, the newcomer. Good grief, Alvarez Wow… What was that? The smell communists went through this has been here 22 months longer of onions? Of actual meat? Of an charade every year. It served as a than I have.) This is really a good exotic oriental smelling aroma of way to mark time. sign.” I thought, for the fish sauce? thousandth time, “We should be Infrequently, they’d bring in their out of here in six months to a To digress slightly, and for “Catholic priest” who’d serve year.” purposes of total disclosure, I communion to a few “believers” am and have always been an (as the Communists called them) I was wrong. We were home in optimist. Totally, unrepentantly while dutifully recording the less than two months. The next Ex-POW Bulletin event with their propaganda Christmas was much better! cameras. Nov/Dec 2014 14 to contain more than 400 U.S. ser- several Japanese non-governmen- pow-mia vicemen who fought during the tal organizations, with oversight war. North Korean documents, from a private archaeological turned over with some of the company, recovered human re- boxes, indicated that some of the mains and personal effects be- remains were recovered from the longing to American servicemen vicinity where Richardson was from an unmarked burial. The believed to have died. In the iden- remains were turned over to the tification of Richardson’s re- Joint POW/MIA Accounting Com- mains, scientists from the Joint mand (JPAC). In the identification POW/MIA Accounting Command of Gavrin’s remains, scientists (JPAC) and Armed Forces DNA from JPAC and the Armed Forces Laboratory (AFDIL) used circum- DNA Identification Laboratory PNC John Edwards stantial evidence and forensic (AFDIL) used circumstantial evi- Chairman identification tools, to include dence and forensic identification 889 Randall Road mitochondrial DNA, which tools including dental compari- Niskayuna, NY 12309 matched his niece and grand- sons and mitochondrial DNA, niece. which matched Gavrin’s nephew. (518) 393-3907 phone/fax Soldier Missing from Korean War Soldier Missing From WWII Ac- Accounted For counted For The Department of Defense POW/ The Department of Defense POW/ Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of a announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from U.S. serviceman, missing since the Korean War, have been identi- World War II, have been identi- fied and was returned to his fam- fied and were returned to his ily for burial with full military family for burial with full mili- honors. Army Pfc. Arthur tary honors. Army Pfc. Bernard Richardson, 28, of Fall River, Gavrin of Brooklyn, New York, Mass., was buried Sept. 18 in Ar- was buried on Sept. 12, in Arling- ton National Cemetery. On June lington National Cemetery, Wash- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel gives 15, 1944, as part of an allied stra- ington D.C. In January 1951, former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland of Geor- Richardson and elements of Com- tegic goal to secure the Mariana gia, an Army veteran of the Vietnam pany A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infan- Islands, U.S. forces were ordered War, a hug after introducing him as the try Regiment (IR), 24th Infantry to occupy Saipan. After a month guest speaker at the 2014 National Division (ID), were deployed of intense fighting, enemy forces POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony at the northeast of Seoul, South Korea, conducted a suicide assault, Pentagon, Sept.19, 2014. DoD photo by where they were attacked by en- known as a banzai attack. This U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz was designed to inflict as many emy forces. During the attempt “Keeping the Promise”, “Fulfill to delay the enemy forces from casualties as possible against the 105th Infantry Regiment (IR), their Trust” and “No one left advancing, Richardson and his behind” are several of many unit were moving towards a more 27th Infantry Division (ID). Dur- ing these attacks, elements of the mottos that refer to the ef- defensible position, when his unit forts of the Department of De- suffered heavy losses. It was dur- 105th IR sustained heavy losses, with more than 900 soldiers fense to recover those who be- ing this attack that Richardson came missing while serving was reported missing. When no killed or injured. Gavrin was re- ported missing in action on July our nation. The number of further information pertaining to Americans who remain miss- Richardson was received and he 7, 1944. On July 8, 1945, with no new information concerning ing from conflicts in this cen- failed to return to U.S. control tury are: World War II during prisoner exchanges, a mili- Gavrin or 21 other service mem- bers of the 105th IR, investiga- (73,000+), Korean War (7,921) tary review board reviewed his Cold War (126), Vietnam War status in 1954, and changed it tors issued a presumptive find- ing of death. In November 1948, (1,642), 1991 Gulf War (0), and from missing in action to pre- OEF/OIF (6). sumed dead. In 1956, his remains the American Graves Registra- tion Services (AGRS) reviewed the were declared unrecoverable. Be- Ex-POW Bulletin tween 1991 and 1994, North Ko- circumstances of Gavrin’s loss Nov/Dec 2014 rea turned over to the U.S. 208 and concluded his remains were boxes of human remains believed non-recoverable. In Sept. 2013, 15 from the Islands. Rumors of help from As the situation in camp became in- the US, Australia, Singapore , China and creasingly grim, the need for news civilians even Russia were an everyday affair. seemed almost as urgent as the need Most were wildly illogical. Yet most for food. Each day brought its full probably had some isolated fact vastly share of rumors on the war situation. magnified, that served to spark the I don’t think we ever doubted for a rumor. A germ of truth led to a plague minute that the Americans would re- of fantasy. I remember one that had turn, but when? How soon? We were considerable currency in the early waiting and starving. Rumors also days. We heard that 300 Spitfires had sprang up, particularly in late 1944 landed at Antimonan, a town on the about the imminent arrival of more east coast of Luzon, the site of the comfort kits. Over and over we heard second major Japanese landing on the relief supplies were on the pier, on island. Even to a 13-year old, this made the way, coming soon. These rumors JVC Alice Gollin, Chair no sense: Antimonan was in Japanese were so persistent that the Central control. But there it was, no doubt Committee issued a notice that they “Rumors” earnestly believed by some. Years had no information about any relief later, reading a history of the events supplies and the internees should not by Curt Brooks, Ex-STIC of the war, I learned that before the count on them. [email protected] war Army engineers had surveyed a number of sites for auxiliary airfield Where did rumors come from? How Oh Lord be kind, and help us find, to assist in receiving reinforcements did they start? We know now that The guy who starts the rumors… should war come. One of these sites there was a radio hidden in camp and was…, Antimonan. Perhaps someone that information received was filtered Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, in camp knew of this activity and men- out to a select few and then spread the Japanese invasion forces swept tioned it. From there, the story had a to others and eventually to nearly through Southeast Asia. Manila fell to life of its own. everyone as, of course, the latest ru- the advancing Japanese on Jan.2, 1942. mor. Frequently rumors were prefaced Allied civilian residents of the city, The Manila Tribune, the Japanese En- by the qualifier that a person heard my family included, were rounded up glish language daily newspaper was the local radio over the wall. What- and incarcerated in the Santo Tomas available in camp from the early days ever their source, and whatever their Internment Camp in Manila. until about the middle of February, accuracy, rumors did keep the intern- 1944. It reappeared again in May, 1944, ees vaguely informed of the progress From its earliest days, rumors were only to disappear for good a month of the war, though misinformation part and parcel of the living environ- later. As a news source, the Tribune vastly clogged the reporting. Japanese ment in Santo Tomas. Deprived of ra- was a very weak reed to lean on. Be- activity helped; blackouts and air raid dio and a good source of newspaper cause the information was so dis- drills, the emplacement of search- accounts, rumors filled the void left torted and had so many omissions, lights, the construction of a small air by this lack of reliable news. And for example the Battle of Midway was raid shelter close to the news, information, was critical to our never reported, the flow of rumors commandant’s office were harbingers outlook, our understanding of the continued unabated. of the American approach. The first events that had so shaken our exist- real air raid alarm sounded on Sep- ence, and above all, to the probable Of course, rumors were not limited tember 14, 1944. Rumors quickly length and nature of our incarcera- to the war situation. There were ru- spread that the Visayan Islands had tion. The military situation, condi- mors about the arrival of relief sup- been attacked. None doubted the tions in camp, the fate of friends, fam- plies, the ‘comfort kits,’ about repa- news. Following the awesome and ily, home, possessions all were triation, about food supplies, about magnificent display of air power on st present in our daily thoughts and ac- every possible activity that might af- September 21 with the first carrier tivities. First and foremost all won- fect our lives and well-being in the strike on the city, rumors of landings dered how long internment would camp. With the fall of Bataan and all over the PI became a nearly daily last, when would we get out? When Corregidor, the “help is on the way” fare. would the tide of war change and theme faded, but others came along freedom return? and our daily dosage never lessened. The following month occurred prob- The availability of the Tribune allowed ably the most memorable event con- Help is on the way. The overriding us to follow the overall changes in cerning rumors. With further air raids, theme of rumors in the early days of the war situation, in both Europe and the camp was rife with rumors of camp lay in the vision of reinforce- the Pacific, however flawed these re- American landings in the Central Phil- th ments coming to bolster the USAFFE ports might be. With the termination ippines. In the evening of October 20 and enable it to drive the Japanese of the delivery of the newspaper in in making announcements on the June, 1944, all sources of news were , camp PA system, our renowned news- theoretically at least, cut off from the caster, Don Bell, mentioned some ac- Ex-POW Bulletin internees. Even after it was discontin- tivity that needed to be done. There Nov/Dec 2014 ued, information published in the Tri- was a brief pause and then came the bune would sometimes filter into portentous and heartwarming, “Better 16 camp to be spread as rumors. Leyte than never.” not found. On June 15, 1945 body “Rumors, cont’d... of American soldier was recov- ered from isolated grave and in- The months of November and Decem- terred at the Nurnberg, Germany. ber, 1944 seemed interminable with events Subsequently his remains were our ever-present hunger. On January 6th, 1945 came massive air raids, this Jan. 30 - Feb.11, 2015. Manila designated as unknown and bur- time not only by the carrier planes of Liberation 1945. We are on our ied at St. Avold, France. During previous attacks, but including the way again with Philippine Airlines the transfer from Germany to very large B-24s from land bases. Ru- – Rajah Tours International, and France remains were for some mors, so persistent as to almost be- yours truly, Sascha Jansen and reason switched. This was done come news, told of landings on Luzon, friends. MABUHAY! See you in on August 13, 1945. Based on all for sure this time, at Lingayen Gulf, Manila! For information, contact similarity of place, date of death the site of the principal Japanese land- and physical characteristics re- ing on the Island in the dark Decem- Sascha at [email protected]. mains we’re identified as of Pfc. ber of 1941. Roles reversed. And so the last chapter of internment un- Fred W. Ashley based on accom- folded with the belief that rescue was looking panying file. However during re- nearly a daily possibility. Rations processing of remains on June dwindled even more and the progress 30, 1949, The tooth chart of re- of the Americans was the subject of for mains revealed not favorable rumors and more rumors. The city with Army dental records of Pfc. rocked with the explosions of Japa- Ashley, even though embalmer nese demolitions, which gave encour- ATTN B-24 crew members: noticed remains in Air Force uni- agement and hope and gave rumors a Collings Foundation is currently form and noted different X num- most fertile breeding ground. looking for B-24 Veterans who ber. Meanwhile, real Ashley was would like to be interviewed and repatriated to Nebraska and in- On the morning of February 3rd, I potentially cast in the singularly terred as pilot and pilot was re wrote in my diary, “The whole east- unique film, THE LAST LIBERA- ern sky was lit up this morning as the designated as Unknown and bur- Japs burn Camp Murphy and other TOR. They are also looking for ied in USMC in Belgium. To this points to the east. There were at least any women who worked at the conclusion I came going through seven fires…”I also recorded that I Michigan Willow Run B-24 plant many files, visited three times heard a rumor that the Americans had or women pilots (WASP) who fer- Ashley isolated grave site and reached San Fernando, Pampanga, ried B-24s from Willow Run. If you going there again for the last about 40 miles north of Manila. I are a B-24 Vet or know one who time tomorrow. During my noted it seemed reasonable and ac- would like to be a part of the Last searching I was assisted with curate. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Liberator film, please contact many men who were with Pfc. Manila Tribune of that morning, we Hunter Chaney at the Collings later learned, carried the report that Ashley in his unit and with this “in his frantic attempt to move south- Foundation. Send email to: information I would like to reach ward to Manila, the enemy sent his [email protected] some who are still alive. Pfc. Fred advance units into the area around or call 800-568-8924. Send letter Warren Ashley was shot and badly San Fernando, Pampanga, where se- to: Collings Foundation Attn: Last wounded to be precise he was vere fighting is in progress.” For once Liberator PO Box 248 Stow, MA paralyzed from his waist down rumors trailed the actual events. Ma- 01775. and at unknown time on or about chine gun fire, tracer bullets, a light May 04, 1945 he was shot in back at the gate, green flares and as the of his head by his captors! This light moved to the front of the Main My name is Manuel F. Van Eyck Building, a momentous roar of pent- and for the last 23 years I have is in short his story. In 1991 I up hopes, prayers of all the years, of been searching for possible grave promised to Fred’s sister Vivian the liberated, echoed across the of Pfc. Fred W. ASHLEY. Pfc that I will find him and I kept my grounds of Santo Tomas and echoes Ashley was shot and captured word even though his sister yet. during the firefight in early hours passed away. Please print it so in small German settlement in some survivors from May 4, 1945 Throughout internment our hopes southern Bohemia (Czechoslova- firefight learn what happened to and fears, floated on a sea of rumors; kia). With him was shot and killed their buddy. Thank you very many buoyed us along, other seemed outright Pfc. George H. BUTTRON, much! Manuel F. van Eyck; to drown our expectations. We Jr. Rest of the group were cap- [email protected]. learned to swim in that ocean, an in- tured by force of 300 Germans. tegral and remarkable phase of our Ex-POW Bulletin prisoner existence. Few days later all Americans were released. Pfc Buttron’s body was Nov/Dec 2014 recovered from isolated grave five days later but Pfc. Ashley was 17 reclusiveness, our quick temper, our More than a year later, after UNSPOKEN overreaction to loud noises. It was liberation, I came home to find out easier for them to simply accept our that Merle’s wounds were so severe By Norman Bussel peculiarities and stay out of our way. that he was repatriated in exchange for a German POW and after many Conversations with our kids were months in an Army hospital, he “...I gave you painted air - tears I awkward or non-existent. And this recovered enough to be discharged. couldn’t weep – truths I couldn’t is perhaps the greatest loss suffered speak - All the words that caught in by POWs and their families. Anyway, Merle returned to his my throat...” John Geddes, A Familiar Unspoken words left a huge gap in hometown in Pennsylvania, married Rain our lives and far too many of us died and had four kids. Karen, his without ever telling our children that daughter, said he was a wonderful we loved them. Our lips forever dad but would never speak about For most POWs, and other combat sealed to the explanation that would the war. She said what astonished veterans who carried home emotional have helped them to understand; that her most when reading my book was baggage, talking about our war would have forged a bond between that her dad had been wounded. “My experiences was a topic we tried very us that we so desperately needed. siblings and I saw the scars on his hard to avoid. POWs felt it was chest and back, but they had been impossible for family or friends to As time passed, we began to unwind always been there and we just understand what it was like to exist enough to join service organizations weren’t curious enough to ask about behind barbed wire. To face the such as: AXPOW, American Legion, them!” We’ve had several long chats steely muzzles of guns every day. DAV, VFW, Purple Heart and suddenly since then and I was so pleased to Guns carried by guards who wouldn’t discovered that we could be be able to tell her what a hero her hesitate to shoot you if you comfortable discussing our war father was. disobeyed the rules. The humiliation experiences in the company of fellow of being denied food, medicine and veterans. At this point, we might have Then came the sad calls. I began to other essentials was something you been more open if our kids had hear from kids whose fathers never wanted to keep buried deep in your asked questions, but past rebuffs recovered enough to be fathers. mind. Trying to explain that painful had convinced them that this subject None of them had figured out that existence would be almost was out of bounds. their dad’s mood swings, aversion to embarrassing. I call it the “naked noise, quickness to anger, silence, mind syndrome.” I didn’t realize how pervasive our was a result of his war experiences. silence was until my book, MY They simply couldn’t wait to be old So we chose not to open our souls PRIVATE WAR, Liberated Body— enough to leave home and get away and expose our wrenching torment Captive Mind was published. Then I from an oddball father. to those who could not understand. began to receive emails and Instead, we internalized the telephone calls from POWs’ children What I found so depressing was that memories of POW misery and with who were astonished to learn what every son and daughter who had lost that action, forever changed our their dads had been through. And it their dad was heartsick because personalities. Resentful that some wasn’t as if all of us tight-lipped guys they never knew that the pain their seemed to take our time as POWs were bad parents. Some of us just fathers lived with until they died was lightly, we became introverted. We never did feel relaxed enough to talk the result of the trauma of war. And led lives of controlled rage, except about the past. every one had the same sad lament, for the times when we lost it and our “If I had only known!” overreaction became a problem. What really drove this home for me was a call from a daughter of my own If I succeeded in helping some kids Of course we wanted to lead waist-gunner, Merle Rumbaugh. to see their departed dads in a “normal” lives, so most of us got Before our B-17 went down over different light, I am very pleased. But married and had children. My friend Berlin on April 29, 1944, we were hit I know that there are still many Steve Yarema called POW wives, “Our by German fighter planes and Merle veterans who are distanced from Angels,” because only women with took a large shell in his chest, which their families and time for sainted dispositions could endure exited out of his back. He was reconciliation grows shorter by the our quirks. But our wives were gravely wounded and bleeding badly, day. adults and capable of attributing our but the Germans didn’t take him to conduct to our POW experience. Our a hospital until the next day. We were Over many years of chatting with children, however, were unable to in a small prison at an airfield and veterans at AXPOW conventions, Air understand our mood swings, our thought we were going to lose Merle. Force reunions and various meetings, He was groaning but they gave him I was surprised by how many of them Ex-POW Bulletin nothing to ease his pain. All we said, “Nah, I’m not really in touch with Nov/DecSept/Oct 20142012 could do was use strips of our my kids.” clothing to slow the flow of blood. 18 on and our dialogue quickly surrounded us in prison camp. This unspoken, cont’d... deteriorated. In retrospect, he had is not a time to point fingers, to place “shellshock” and I lived with “battle blame. The fault lies with those who I will be the first to admit that, fatigue.” Today both these held us captive, the effect they had basically, the fault is ours. As former conditions fall into the category on our minds, and if we fail to POWs, we battled our demons as best known as PTSD: post traumatic change our situation, we allow we could. Some of us, including me, stress disorder. It is not surprising ourselves to still be under their used alcohol as a crutch. Some that we grated on each other’s nerves. control. worked long hours to avoid being at And no wonder that we never talked home. Others simply staked out about war. Do me this one favor: If you’re a space in a bedroom or den, which POW’s kid, get in touch with your our families were made to Over time, with the arrival of dad. Set a date for a visit. Grab the understand was not to be grandchildren who were curious moment before it’s too late. If you transgressed. about our role in our country’s have children, be sure to being them history, some of us were able to with you. Grandchildren can open But placing blame for the tragedy of overcome our reticence to talk about doors that you may not be able to unfulfilled parenthood is not my our combat experiences. But too access. If you have a camcorder, intention. My fondest wish is simply many fascinating stories remain record the conversation. It will to bring together those fathers who untold and it is sad that so many become a family treasure. are still estranged from their children have already been buried. before it is too late. If you’re a POW, I don’t have to tell If I could be granted one wish during you that time is short. We’re losing It was too late for my dad and me. the coming holiday season, I would buddies every day. Let there be no He was a veteran of World War I and ask for the reconciliation of all those regrets. Hold your family close and although I worked for him for over POW families who have been create memories that will live long twenty years, our conversations were estranged from loved ones. For some after we are gone. Most important mostly about business. The times of us, the emotional baggage that we of all: Make sure that these precious when he tried to talk about other brought home has kept us apart just words we hold in our hearts do not subjects, they always concerned as effectively as the barbed wire that go...Unspoken. personal issues which we disagreed We Appreciate you!

Hudson Valley Chapter Commander Melanie Bussel received a surprise presentation from PCC Vince Lisanti. He writes: “No Chapter Commander has done more for us than Melanie Bussel. She and her husband Norman went to Washington DC on our behalf to make sure we have disability evi- dence and viability. She broke through the bureaucracy of our local Veterans Administration to obtain wheelchairs for our chapter handicapped veter- ans.” Vince designed and made the certifi- cate. His son, Anthony was the pho- tographer.

Congratulations, Melanie!

Ex-POW Bulletin Nov/Dec 2014 19 Prison on 18th Street”, Prison De- additional huge numbers of POWs in the pot (early war), “Prison opposite POWs, survived. Castle Thunder” (Palmer’s build- Confederate Capital: ings), Ross Factor’s Hospital (aka One Richmond POW facility was Richmond Main Street Hospital), Scott’s Fac- Belle Island (for enlisted) on the by Alice A. Booher tory Prison, Second Alabama Hos- James River, first explored by pital (aka Turpin & Yarbrough’s Captain John Smith in 1607, later hosting a fishery and then an iron and nail company. Accord- ing to Doyle, Belle Island’s lower part was the prison proper, sur- rounded by an embankment 3’ high (constituting the dead-line) and ditched on either side; water was available from barrels sunk in the earth, but was impregnated Given their basic unsavory and Factory Prison), Smith Factory with human filth from the camp. inherently unhappy nature, it Prison, State Penitentiary, includ- Mike Wright, in City Under Siege: would seem more than sufficient ing annotations on some of those Richmond in the Civil War notes to have one POW camp in any cited by Doyle as concurrently that as early as June 1862, after given location, but the exigencies serving as hospitals. None of the Seven Days Battles, there were of the situation often trumped these sites was a particular show- 10,000 POWs held there pending that logic. In this specific in- place, but whether referencing shipment to a more secure loca- stance, recognized scholar Rob- short or long lists, it seems an tion further south. POWs were ert C. Doyle (Voices From Captiv- extraordinary number of POW housed in a few Sibley tents, ity) lists “major” POW camps in camps in a single location, even shacks and barracks, of which Richmond, Virginia, capital of the if it was the Capital of the Con- there were never enough as the Confederacy, as including Belle federacy. population expanded. Richmond Island (aka CSM Prison), Castle can be an inhospitable Goodwin, Crews Prison, Grant’s climate during the in- Factory, Libby Prison, Liggons tense cold of winter or Prison, Pemberton Prison, Scott’s heat of summer. Death Factory and Smith Factory; (of rate estimates varied, those, only Libby Prison was for but rose to the extremes officers, the rest enlisted). More- particularly during the over, Civil War authority MD winter of 1863-4, as tes- Gorman adds the following addi- tified before Congress tional (“lesser”) sites of POW pris- by Dorrance Atwater, ons in Richmond (with a few al- who acted as ternative spellings): Atkinson’s Quartermaster’s clerk for 7-8 Factory, Barrett’s Factory, “The To put this in context, one histo- months at Smith’s tobacco ware- Cage”, Castle Godwin, Castle rian (White) notes that the U.S. house. (Atwater was later trans- Lightning (aka Castle Griswold, Census of 1860 lists 39,910 ferred to Andersonville and Castle Booker), Castle Thunder people living in Richmond, worked in the hospital; at the end (Military prison), Crew & 10,379 of who were slaves. By the of the War, he became renowned Pemberton’s Warehouse Prison time the capital of the (General Hospital #15), Franklin Confederacy moved to Street Guard House, General Hos- Richmond in 1862, it pital #21, General Hospital #22 was estimated that the (aka Howard’s Factory Prison), population had in- Grant’s Factory (General Hospital creased to 100,000. At #12), Harwood’s Factory (General war’s end, with strag- Hospital #24), Liggon’s Prison glers, refugees, govern- (General Hospital #23), “Officer’s ment workers, soldiers, etc., there may have been Ex-POW Bulletin 200,000 in the city. It is Nov/Dec 2014 hard to imagine how any 20 of them, including the hospital locations in Richmond, there were some skylights and Richmond, according to White, many having windows, but the roof massively been converted from other pur- leaked; wooden troughs in each poses as casualties increased. Not room were for washing, with wa- cont’d... all casualties occurred because of ter piped in from the nearby ca- bullets or shelling, e.g., one nal for drinking, cooking, bath- hospital, the Alms House ing, but laced with yellow soil. Hospital (General Hospital Large numbers of POWs lived to- #1) was filled with smallpox gether in huge open rooms with victims. open barred windows leaving them exposed to weather and Doyle quotes Capt Bernhard temperature extremes. A letter Domschke, a POW for 20 home from one wounded Con- months, on Libby Prison, re- federate soldier serving as hos- served for officers, in a con- pital guard in Richmond re- verted 3-story tobacco ware- house on 2 levels. Originally built by a tobacco merchant, John Enders, who died before completion, the place was leased by Maine native, Cap- tain Luther Libby, as a ship’s chandlery and grocery busi- ness. Routinely, Libby in- stalled a shopkeeper’s sign reflecting his name. When war came in 1861, Libby had to vacate the property so quickly he left his sign be- for working with Clara Barton in hind, and it remained on the setting up The Missing Soldiers building throughout the war. Office, a system for locating and White notes that Libby’s name identifying POW/MIA remains). thus became so visually identi- Atwater described the Belle Island fied with the horrible place that of August 1863: 10,000 POW men he had to leave town for a while (were) without shoes, stockings or to escape reprisals by angry shirts, who lay upon the bare Northerners despite the fact that ground, going days in the sever- he was a Northerner himself. est weather without any food. Poet Walt Whitman later asked of Under Libby Prison’s first floor ported that physicians and ma- some POW survivors: “can those was a cellar with tiny dark holes trons ate rats they caught run- be men”, as many appeared to be of cells infested by rats and other ning over bodies of dead sol- mummified, dwindled corpses. vermin, the lowest level of which diers. With a nasty reputation for One genealogical website esti- housed accused spies, “danger- overcrowding, harsh conditions, mates that 90% of the survivors ous” POWs and slaves. Above, and lack of sanitation, disease weighed less than 100 and mortality rates at Libby pounds. Prison were high; escape at- tempts were frequent and pe- The Belle Island POWs were riodically marginally success- occasionally allowed to ful. According to White, after swim in the James River; the war, the prison comman- some got temporarily dant, Dr. Thomas P. Turner cleaner, some acquired new fled to Mexico where he served infections or drowned and a few escaped by that route. In addition to the hospitals Ex-POW Bulletin listed above as POW loca- Nov/Dec 2014 tions, there were some 25 21 Union sympathies, helped in Castle Thunder prison in Rich- Richmond, some escape planning and pur- mond consisted of several portedly hid POW escapees; she former tobacco warehouses set cont’d... would often enter the Libby fa- aside for spies, criminals and cility with food and reading ma- those charged with treason; for terials, and leave with in- mixed reasons, it would eventu- formation for Union ally accommodate an unusual as- agents in the city of sortment of women. It allegedly Richmond. During her got its name from the sound of lifetime Richmond artillery fire during the long neighbors ostracized siege of Richmond. The place de- her, and only after her veloped such a dreadful reputa- death in 1900 did admir- tion for cruelty that the Confed- ers in Boston recognize erate House of Representatives her grave with an appro- itself investigated its comman- priate stone tribute. dant, a former POW himself who had avoided execution by the Torn down in 1888, the Union Army by escaping and re- Libby Prison building turning to Richmond. was moved in 1889 by a consortium of business- men to Chicago to serve under Emperor Maximilian. He as a war museum. The Chicago later returned to the U.S. and prac- Historical Society (Northwestern) ticed dentistry in New Orleans. has an annotated account of the museum with its huge display of In 1864, the Confederacy moved armaments, attracting a new gen- the Union POWs to Macon, GA af- eration of military personnel in- ter which the Confederate Army cluding active duty troops in Chi- used Libby to house military cago during the Pullman strikes criminals. After the Union occu- of July 1894; Civil War veterans pation of Richmond, former Con- were stationed throughout the federate officers were held there. Museum to guide visitors and President Abraham Lincoln vis- share their wartime experiences. ited Richmond in April 1865 (10 It would be dismantled a decade days before his assassination) later, some pieces to be used as when a crowd in front of Libby souvenirs; the bulk of the build- Prison shouted “tear it down” to ing, according to White, was to which Lincoln purportedly re- be exhibited on a world tour. plied “No, leave it as a monu- Crossing Indiana, the eastbound For a time, Dr. Mary Walker was ment”. Wright notes that Libby train carrying the building was incarcerated there. She had mar- Prison was the largest in the Con- wrecked; much of the prison was ried fellow medical school stu- federacy and over the length of salvaged in the local town at the dent Albert Miller and they set up the war, housed 50,000 POWs by crash site, and used as a barn un- practice in Rome, NY. She volun- some estimates, 75,000 by others. til the Civil War Centennial in teered with the Union Army as a 1963. civilian, and was initially allowed Located near Libby Prison was to practice as a nurse at the the home of Philadelphia- edu- Battle of Bull Run. Working cated Miss Elizabeth (“Crazy as an unpaid field surgeon Bet” or “Miss Lizzie”) Van Lew, near Union front lines at who on her father’s death in Battle of Fredericksburg and 1860 freed the family slaves in in Chattanooga after the Richmond. She was an aboli- Battle of Chickamauga, she tionist who never hid her offered to act as a spy but was turned down. In the fall Ex-POW Bulletin of 1863, she was hired as a civilian contract surgeon by Nov/Dec 2014 the Army in Cumberland, 22 Richmond, cont’d... and was assigned to the 52nd Ohio Infantry. She had been cap- tured as a spy after crossing Con- federate lines to treat wounded, purportedly seized after having just finished helping a Confeder- ate physician with an amputa- tion. She was part of the prisoner books and the Women in Military published relatively contempora- exchange on August 12, 1864, and Service to America (WIMSA) went on to serve during the Battle neously to the war itself (e.g., Civil website carry her remarkable War Richmond by of Atlanta, supervised a female complete history. prisoner in KY and headed an or- www.mdgorman.com including phanage in TN. The filthy condi- Prison-Life in the Tobacco Ware- Even after the Union forces cap- house at Richmond: By a Ball’s Bluff tions at Castle Thunder were said tured Richmond, they continued to have caused Walker’s lifelong Prisoner (Philadelphia, George W. to use the facilities, including Childs, 1862) also at http:// visual problems, which eventu- Castle Thunder, as POW prisons. ally ended her practice of medi- www.mdgorman.com/Prisons/ Other POWs at Castle Thunder Prison%20Life.htm; another cine. The Medal of Honor recipi- were Mollie Bean (and her sister ent died in 1919. A number of source is the National Park Ser- Mary), who had served two years vice website (e.g., James I. with the NC 47th while pretend- On February 20, 1865, the Richmond Robinson, Jr.’s Prisoners of War ing to be a man; twice wounded (http://www.nps.gov/history/his- Whig published a report stating that on in action, the Union Army sus- February 17: tory/online_books/ pected her of being a spy. The lo- civil_war_series/3/sec4.ht.) See A young woman, dressed cal paper, Richmond Whig, dated also Hell on Belle Island: Diary of a in military uniform, was February 20, 1865, indicated that Civil War POW by J. Osborn arrested somewhere up the other soldiers knew of her Coburn; and Libby Prison the Danville Railroad gender. A roster of NC troops ed- Breakout: The Daring Escape from and sent to this city, ited by W.T. Jordan indicates that the Notorious Civil War Prison by charged with being a she may have fought at the Battle Joseph Wheelan. suspicious character. On of Gettysburg. She became a ma- examination of the jor character is at least one his- After passage of 150 years, and Provost Marshal’s office torical novel. Another POW at having thus dissected the city of it appeared that her Castle Thunder was listed as “Lt. historic Richmond, now the capi- name was Mollie Bean, Harry Buford”, a woman in dis- tal of the Commonwealth of Vir- and that she had been guise, Loreta Janeta Valesquez, a ginia, to include several ex- serving in the 47th 24-year old Havana, Cuba native, amples of its many Civil War North Carolina Regiment widow of a Louisiana planter who POW camps, it seems only fair to for over two years, had died fighting for the Confed- close with a gentler commentary during which time she erate cause. She took his place, by William Cullen Bryant: “A had been twice wounded. raised a company of infantry (the beautiful city is Richmond, seated She was sent to Castle Arkansas Grays) and led them to on the hills that overlook the James Thunder, that common Virginia where they fought in the River. The dwellings have a pleas- receptacle of the first Battle of Manassas. After she ant appearance, often standing by guilty, the suspected, joined the so-called “Secret themselves in the midst of gardens. and the unfortunate. Corps” of spies, she was released In front of several, I saw large This poor creature is, from prison; even then she per- magnolias, their dark glazed from her record, mani- sisted in fighting, being wounded leaves glittering in the March sun- festly crazy. It will twice before the war ended. shine.” not, we presume, be pretended that she had The interested reader can find ex- Ex-POW Bulletin served so long in the traordinary diaries, letters and Nov/Dec 2014 army without her sex drawings by former POWs in Rich- being discovered. mond both in print form and on 23 the internet, many of them first blade to whack with its flat edge. ing down there laughing at us. It To hell and back Places where prisoners would was like a furnace down there, no By Edward Lee Pitts hide the dead to get extra food water, no facilities at all, noth- rations until the smell became ing.” too great and where the decom- On Sept. 7, 1944, Edward Treski posing bodies would rise out of My grandfather found himself received a lifetime dose of their graves every rainy season one of 750 POWs crammed into perspective demanding to be reburied. the hull of what survivors later called a “hell ship.” Guards used Then, in the late summer of 1944 a rope to lower a five-gallon can as Japan’s long stranglehold on of water and peelings of rotten the Philippines began to weaken, tropical vegetables to the starv- my “Papa” found his neck teth- ing prisoners. Fights for the food ered by ropes to hundreds of and water followed: other emaciated prisoners. The “Some of us decided to organize guards, nervous because Allied and take charge of the food when planes had bombed nearby run- it came down to be sure the weak ways the night before, gave the got some. They’d send a tin can order for these conjoined bare- down there for waste, and I be- footed men to march: lieve it was the same can they put “There was no stopping. There the food and water in. There was were trucks in front of us with a lot of crying and praying going machine guns pointing our way on. I thought it wouldn’t have In January, 2009, while chauffeur- and trucks behind us with ma- been but a matter of days before ing around my then-87-year-old chine guns pointing in our direc- we would all be dead.” grandfather, he struck me speech- tion. Guards were on both sides less when, frustrated over losing with fixed bayonets. After several The prisoners of war managed to his driving privileges and heart- hours someone would drop. spend 14 days in that foul and broken that his wife of 63 years Those tied closest would have to steamy hold, four at sea hugging now lived in a nursing home, he drag him, pick him up and carry the coast and 10 docked at the blurted: “I have no idea why I am him. If a guard would see you port of Zamboanga. Then the still alive. I should have died that carry one, he would hit you with Japanese switched ships to throw day.” his rifle butt. He would cut the off U.S. submarines. Now man loose, retie the rope, put the crammed into the darkened hull “That day” was Sept. 7, 1944, when fallen man into the ditch, and of the Shinyo Maru, the prison- 23-year-old Army 2nd Lt. Edward sometimes stick him with the ers lost track of time. Records Treski descended into a war ex- bayonet before moving on.” show that on Sept. 7, 1944, the perience so hellish he could only Shinyo Maru joined a convoy of be saved by a torpedo and a gre- By dark the prisoners found four other ships: destination un- nade. themselves in the port area of known. It would be a short trip. Davao. Soon they longed for the For two years, three months, and space and air found during the Just hours later torpedoes from 15 days he survived as a prisoner forced march: a U.S. submarine slammed into in three Japanese internment “They put us down in the hull of the unmarked ship. The Japanese camps spread around the Philip- the ship. Packed like sardines guards panicked, unleashing a pines-places where the punished down there. They had the guards slaughter: found themselves hanging by fix bayonets, and they’d send a “A guard just stuck his rifle down their arms at the camp gate or bunch down the hull, and they into the hole there and emptied beaten with electric cattle prods would lunge at us, you know, sort it, and the bullets were whizzing while standing in water. Where of packing, packing until they got all over the place. After empty- guards played games to keep as many as they could get down ing his rifle, he took a hand gre- their saber skills sharp by swing- in there. Then they got out, and nade and threw it down there. ing their swords at kneeling pris- they pulled the stairway up. They And I was sitting there where I oners’ necks, seeing who could put the timbers across the hull could see it coming. It exploded. get closest before turning the and rolled some canvas and tarp Knocked me unconscious. . . . Ex-POW Bulletin over top of that. They just left More?” Nov/Dec 2014 one little hole open on the one end of it, one corner of it, where That was the question my grand- 24 a guard sat down and was look- father asked me repeatedly dur- books. While the death rate for saw a sight that I will never forget to hell & back, Allied POWs in the European as long as I live. cont’d... front was 4 percent, in the Pa- “The guards had their life rafts in cific, it was 27 percent. My a semicircle around the swimming ing tape-recorded sessions I be- grandfather refused to talk Americans. These guys were strug- gan in 2001. Of course I wanted about the tortures he likely en- gling to keep their heads above more. I’d spent my childhood dured. water just so they could get a little trying to get his war experiences breath of air only to have a saber out of him. He did say that whenever he was come down to split their skulls. I on the verge of giving up he’d could see the glitter of the sun in Occasionally he’d reveal snippets visualize the tears running the sabers, just chopping heads. at unexpected times. When com- down his mother’s cheeks the They cut heads like they were cut- mercials interrupted an Atlanta day that as an 18-year-old in Feb- ting wood-sometimes taking the Braves baseball game, Papa would ruary 1940 he asked her permis- heads completely off. Other sol- unleash a war tale perfectly timed sion to join the service. He had diers had fixed bayonets and they to end before the next pitch. I to keep going, he decided, be- were sticking their fixed bayonets wished the commercials would cause he needed to get back into the swimmers. Those they never end. home to wipe those tears away. couldn’t reach, they would shoot.”

Once, he told about taking over In the face of brutality, acts of The minutes in which the grenade the steering wheel of a military defiance-and humor-kept him explosion had knocked out Papa bus laden with explosives after going. The POWs named one prevented him from becoming a the driver fled during a Japanese guard, who was mean, Caesar, victim in this massacre. With the ambush, the bullets piercing the and another, who was talkative, ship about to sink, he swam to the roof as Papa drove. From history Donald Duck. When guards dis- other side away from the death- books I learned that for six tributed fake newspapers re- wielding Japanese lifeboats. He months after Pearl Harbor my counting how the Japanese had could see the shore three miles grandfather and others in the invaded the United States using away. So Papa, down to 85 pounds 31st Infantry blew up bridges, fer- submarines to control the Mis- from his normal 175-pound ries, and roads while trying to sissippi River, the POWs took weight, grabbed a fellow prisoner stop the Japanese army’s inevi- the papers to the outhouses. and, holding onto a piece of tim- table steamrolling of the Philip- ber, together they started kicking pines. By turning himself and his Forced to build an airstrip us- towards shore. rifle in to a Japanese camp in May ing crushed coral, the prisoners 1942, Papa had joined one of the dug holes on the landing strip One of the torpedoed ships had largest military surrenders in and covered them with a thin managed to run onto a reef. The American history. layer of coral in the hopes Japa- Japanese immediately set up their nese planes would crash upon machine guns and, using binocu- But Papa’s tales as I grew up landing. And the prisoners lars, began to pick off prisoners avoided such humiliation and hatched intricate plots to lure swimming towards them. Soon emphasized the fleeting mo- guard dogs into the inner fence they opened up on Papa and his ments of pride the soldiers of the camp, where their capture companion: “Jim, we are making shared. Like when he joined hun- meant adding meat to the diet too big of a target. We’re going to dreds of prisoners to sing “God of one sardine can’s worth of have to let this plank go. You go Bless America” at the top of their maggot-infested rice per day. one way, and I’ll go another.” exhausted lungs while pushing a broken train back toward camp- More?” he would ask. “Yeah, Alone, Papa began swimming and all after a day of forced labor in yeah. Definitely. Keep going,” I praying, swimming and praying: the rice paddies. The jittery Japa- replied. So he returned to the “I felt like I was going to give out. I nese guards let the chorus con- torpedoed Shinyo Maru: just couldn’t make it anymore. I tinue while other prisoners could “I don’t know how long I was thought I’d just lie on my stom- hear the refrain ringing all the out, but when I came to I was ach and sink. When I did, I looked way back to camp several miles sitting in water in the slowly down and lo and behold, right be- away. sinking ship. Bodies floated low me was a white coral reef. I back and forth, parts of bodies. reached down to see if I could The starvation, diseases, torture, I looked across the ship and saw Ex-POW Bulletin and executions unleashed on the this big opening where the tor- POWs at the hands of the Japa- pedo had hit. So I walked over Nov/Dec 2014 nese are also the stuff of history to the hole to get out. There I 25 what kind of shape they were in, needed to relish the simple to hell & back, he changed his mind: “Put them things in life and to keep the faith: cont’d... all on here. We’ll take them all,” “During the six months of fight- Papa remembered him saying- ing I believed, during the prison stand on it, and I could just barely words that meant he was headed camp I believed, and the time on catch it with my toes. I started home. the prison ship, I believed. I be- heading towards the shore. The lieve today and I’ll believe for- more shallow it would get, I’d The Japanese took more than ever.” sink down more, until finally I 130,000 POWs during the war. The got down to where I was just on Shinyo Maru survivors repre- Two rows of veterans came to my stomach, pulling myself on sented one of the largest single Papa’s funeral. We gave them my hands.” groups of Pacific POWs to return seats at the front, and they led at one time. Several traveled to the processional outside after the On the beach, he zigged and the new Pentagon to brief war service. The whole sanctuary zagged to avoid the bullets. Div- leaders on the prison camps and paused and watched as these dy- ing over a pile of driftwood for the hell ships. There Army Chief ing warriors used their canes, cover, he felt a jerk that made of Staff Gen. George Marshall walkers, and each other to slowly him think his foot had fallen off. pinned a Purple Heart on the make their way down the aisle. It Crouched behind the driftwood, chest of my Papa, Edward Treski. took a while, but nobody else he pulled his foot up and saw a moved-except our heads as we tremendous hole at his ankle with During subsequent reunions, the turned in tribute to follow their flesh pouring out of it. The bul- Shinyo Maru survivors dubbed quiet progress. The organist let had gone clean through. themselves “the swimmers.” Now played “God Bless America” while less than a dozen of them are left they exited-the same song my Taking the only clothing he had after my grandfather passed grandfather sang as a prisoner at the time-his groin cloth-he away in March. over 60 years ago. pushed his flesh back into his foot and wrapped it tight. Taking At his funeral, while standing When we came out of the church a deep breath and wiping the above his flag-draped coffin, I carrying my grandfather’s casket, blood from the grenade wound tried to answer his question I discovered why all those veter- on his forehead, he ran naked into from January: Why had God ans wanted to leave first. They a cornfield that fronted the spared him that horrible day in had formed two lines leading to beach. There he hid from patrols- 1944? Could it be that God al- the hearse. As we passed, they telling himself he would not let lowed Papa’s peaceful, generous marshaled their military memo- anyone take him back to a prison life-that somehow managed to ries and stood as straight as their camp alive. flow out of those horrific experi- crippled bodies could and sa- ences-to stand as a tribute to His luted with their shaking hands. Out of the 750 prisoners on the grace? Was he allowed a rebirth That was the only time I cried ship, 82 survived the torpedo in that hell ship so that he could during the service-but they were blasts and the ensuing carnage, live a life on Earth that reflected tears of joy and gratitude. For my finding some way to shore. Many Heaven? grandfather and for these other joined a group of battle-hardened veterans. For being fighters. For Filipino guerrillas desperate to The salvation and redemption being survivors. For enduring. rid the island of Japanese. After Papa experienced while swim- more than 2 years of being im- ming to safety at his breaking You can stop swimming now, prisoned and tortured, the pris- point taught me that sometimes Papa. You’ve reached the shore. oners were eager to fight back. you have to sink to the bottom before you can stand and that you Edward Lee Pitts There a patient Filipino doctor should never quit: Lee is WORLD’s Washington Bureau saved my grandfather’s foot. “You know, many times you feel chief. As a reporter for the Chatta- Eventually a U.S. submarine ar- like you’ve had it, this is it, you nooga Times Free Press, he was rived to supply the guerrillas. don’t want any more, and you embedded with a National Guard The captain said there were too give up,” he said during one of unit in Iraq. He also once worked many surviving prisoners to take our taped sessions. “And when in the press office of Sen. Lamar into the sub. But when he saw you give up, that’s it, and you’re Alexander. Ex-POW Bulletin gone, sure enough.” Used by permission © WORLD magazine, all rights reserved Nov/Dec 2014 The hell he suffered gave him a |www.worldmag.com. 26 lifetime dose of perspective STANDAG 7196: The NATO Sur- pedes, ants, ticks), and sea sur- Lessons Taught and vival, Escape/Evasion, Resistance vival. and Extraction (SERE) Standard, Learned: SERE which: “defines the set of tactics, After WWII, SERE training became by Alice A. Booher techniques and procedures that more refined and texts and book- will give isolated personnel the lets were expanded and incremen- tools to survive in any tally more focused. The March environment and to 1969 Army Field Manual 21-76 evade capture where was more detailed, but started such a threat exists. Fail- with the basic “letter” concept of ing that, to resist exploi- survival actions if isolated in en- tation by captors and, if emy territory: Size up the situa- the situation permits, es- tion; Undue haste makes waste; cape captivity to finally Remember where you are; Van- support their own or as- quish fear and panic; Improvise; sisted recover (extrac- Value living; Act like the natives; tion) and return with Learn basic skills. Other manuals dignity”. have followed, but throughout the stated aim of SERE training The Americanized ver- has been to provide the skills It must be stipulated that many sion of SERE has never been a needed to live up to the US Mili- of those reading this article lit- static concept; programming has tary Code of Conduct when in erally “wrote the book” and/or evolved with time, changing cir- uncertain or hostile environ- “taught the course”; some helped cumstances and the collective ments. Since WWII, some eventual in adaptations, improvements captive shared learning experi- POWs received formal SERE train- and redevelopment of the SERE ence. An article in the last issue ing and others did not. programs in accordance with the of the Bulletin noted that during “lessons learned” in their own WWII, some efforts predated a captivity. This is not intended to formalized SERE with briefings diminish those experiences but to absent actual training. From late explain the premise, and to a lim- in 1942, a CONUS operational site, ited extent, share the data with Ft. Hunt outside Washington, DC, others who may be less informed hosted MIS-X. One of the first - with a goal to mutual under- tools created by MIS-X for US Al- standing. There may well be later lied Forces HQ Directorate of In- opportunities for discussing pur- telligence, SWPA (1943, reprinted ported shortcomings or potential 2013), and utilized by the US, Aus- misuse outside historical mili- tralian, Free Dutch, New Zealand tary contexts. and British aircrews in the South- west Pacific, was a small pam- SERE is an acronym for a military phlet, Survival Hints. Inserted in program that means diverse aircraft survival kits along with things, involves multiple levels an Australian Army pamphlet of training, and has been utilized “Friendly Fruits and Vegetables”, it in a variety of ways. In Great Brit- was printed in waterproof ink ain, it stands for “Survive, Evade, and had a few illustrations. The Resist, Extract”; in the U.S., it focus on New Guinea was repre- stands for “Survival, Evasion, Re- sentational, and covered clothes. sistance and Escape”. In general, equipment, crashing/ bailing out, it is a program made available by interactions with natives, jungle In asking some former American and to the military as well as DoD travel and camping, sea, jungle POWs what they found to be par- civilians, and private military and beach foods (e.g., crocodile, ticularly efficacious during cap- contractors, and incorporates kangaroo, wild fowl, cassowaries, tivity as adapted from their own survival skills, techniques for rats, bats, cuscus, land snails, SERE training, many agree that evading capture, and the military large lizards, bandicoots, horn- code of conduct. Comparable cur- bill, wild pigs), first aid (bites by Ex-POW Bulletin rent training in European mili- snakes, leeches, scorpions, centi- tary is based under NATO Nov/Dec 2014 27 radar intercept officer Robert S. Fant, Jr., returned to celebrate. Af- SERE, cont’d... ter repatriation in 1973 and de- “resistance” was both effective briefing, Fant taught at the SERE and satisfying. Former Vietnam school from 1974-1977, special- Era POW Giles R. Norrington re- izing in resisting interrogation; cently responded that: “The most and after retirement in 1980, effective technique was doing any- went back for another 20 years as thing we could to screw up their a civilian instructor. propaganda efforts. Dick Stratton’s bows, Jeremiah Denton’s Other Nam POWs such as Army’s Morse code blinking t-o-r-t-u-r-e. James N. (Nick) Rowe, with spe- The Nam POWs learned the hard cial expertise on escaping, wrote way that name, rank (etc.) would his book Five Years to Freedom in not work. Although the SERE pro- 1971 while still on active duty. gram of the 1960s (had) touched Retiring in 1974, he was recalled on the importance of “lie, cheat in 1981 to build the SERE course and steal” as a GOOD thing, it was based on his own POW experi- not until we made our inputs (in- ences. Killed in 1989 by members cluding those of Doug Hegdahl) of the New People’s Army, a com- There are post-ejection proce- that the (SERE) curricula were munist insurgency in the Philip- dures/parachute landings, non- changed to reflect some of the prac- pines, the special ops adjunct ejection water survival section, tical realities of resistance during SERE training compound at joint water survival courses (at and immediately after effective Camp Mackall, NC is named for Pensacola NAS) and Arctic sur- long-term torture aimed solely at COL Rowe. vival (at Eielson AFB, Alaska). propaganda.” All programs include classroom There are 4 primary (A-D) Levels instruction and hands-on field of any SERE course in part de- training. It is no cakewalk, but pending on the element of risk. then neither is captivity. It must According to urban (and some be noted that military SERE stu- rural) legend, “mock POW camps” dents are screened multiple over the decades have realisti- times to make sure that they are cally masqueraded as many po- healthy in mind and body. Vari- tential venues, physically ous programs have different op- morphing and periodically in- tions and foci, all of which are up- cluding, as needs mandated, as- dated for relevancy to the nature sorted buildings, grounds, simu- of the conflict. In an interesting lated former colonial prisons, collateral addendum, SERE Spe- abandoned farms and vineyards, In fact, since formal SERE train- cialists are also now used to ana- jungle and Quonset huts, caves ing was established by the USAF lyze in recovery programs and and tents, medieval stables, mod- in the 1950’s, much of the growth do such things as testing all para- ern warehouses, storage units and expansion of the SERE train- chute systems for DoD use. and docks, occasionally stocked ing process has taken place as with vermin, filth, beasts of bur- part of POWs giving back coupled USAF ‘s combat survival training den, smells and sounds of the with changing needs of the spe- at Fairchild AFB, Washington ethnic locales. A few current ac- cific services. Navy survival State, was intended to provide air knowledged locations of military training of the 1950’s started as crews the tools to survive, and SERE training (some joint) in- an arctic survival course which “Return with Honor”. Created clude Ft. Bragg, NC and Ft. Rucker, grew by May 1962 to a life-saving originally for pilots with South- AL; USN and USMC SERE School at course, providing tactics, tech- east Asia and Cold War scenarios, the Navy Remote Training Site at niques and procedures. At the the course now has several short Warner Springs, CA and the re- Navy SERE’s 50th anniversary in and longer options in various mote Marine Corps Mt. Warfare 2012, former Vietnam POW and environments. Since 2007, the Training Center in Bridgeport, CA, USAF has had training programs Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, and Ex-POW Bulletin for “asymmetrical warfare”, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, post-9/11 world with shadowy Kittery, ME. Nov/Dec 2014 enemies, IEDs, kidnappers and 28 using contractors as hostages. civilian instructor at the Coronado SERE facility SERE, cont’d... named for former POW James B. Stockdale. An- The then USAF SERE commander other former NamPow, noted in 2007 that while air crews radar intercept officer, used to be the highest risk of cap- Cdr Timothy (Tim) ture, the most vulnerable now Sullivan, who spent are truck drivers, embassy guards 1,945 days in a former and military civil affairs officers. French prison, taught at According, the new training com- Brunswick SERE School ponents include peacetime gov- (1983-1994). Fant and ernment hostage scenarios; resis- Sullivan returned for the tance training for POWS; and hos- 50th USN SERE birthday party (and The Resistance (Resistance Train- tage detention in wartime. SERE Museum opening) at Kittery ing Laboratory, often called mock in 2012. The new relocated POW camp) portion of SERE is Many of you proffer and endorse (onboard shipyard) Navy Survival mostly classified, but is prima- that POW Navy Seaman Appren- School in Portsmouth, NH is rily for special ops personnel. tice (E-2) Doug Hegdahl was a sin- named for former POW Jeremiah The program is tightly super- gularly innovative genius, whose Denton for classroom training; vised but assumes participants in-prison “resistance ploys” and field and practice work takes will be captured by an enemy who perfected tactic of being what the place at the 12,500-acre cold does not observe the rules of the North Vietnamese called “The In- weather Ralph Oden (Odom) Geneva Convention and pushes credibly Stupid One” (e.g., involv- Training Facility in Redington, them to psychological and physi- ing convincing them he could ME. As Admiral Denton noted at cal limits. All SERE courses are neither read nor write among the dedication of the school in realistic and flexible, as necessary other things) became legendary. 2010: “Your responsibility as an to be productive, even though the As later recounted by fellow American war fighter does not trainees know they will be res- former POW Dick Stratton, end when you are captured. There cued, a luxury not known to real Hegdahl’s actions resulted in his is much you can do to inflict dam- POWs; trainees become weak having freedom to roam the age on the enemy”. from lack of food, frightened camp, sabotage trucks, and even- from fake bullets and sleep de- tually take pivotal information to Chuck Law, Quartermaster on the prived on cold nights, hard the outside world (and Paris Peace USS PUEBLO whose intimate fa- ground and absent protection. As Talks). For many years after re- miliarity with torture came at a recently summed up by lease, Hegdahl shared his prag- heavy price as a POW in North Norrington, “Our in-prison goal matic yet creative approach as a Korea, has long instructed Warner was to bring reality to the services’ Springs (San Diego, CA) Navy training - to break the “train-to- trainees, preparing them for bla- the-last-war” paradigm. For the tant and less blatant eventuali- most part, I believe we succeeded”. ties, all supervised by Navy med- SERE training in each service en- ics doing a “Red Cross” inspec- deavors to perpetuate that posi- tion. tive effort and result.

One example of effective utiliza- As has been true for some other tion of SERE is Scott O’Grady, a recent POWs, in 1993 in Somalia, USAF fighter pilot shot down over injured Black Hawk Army special Bosnia-Herzegovina in June 1995. ops pilot Michael Durant (as re- In Return with Honor, he recounts called in the movie Black Hawk evasion in the hostile territory Down, and his book, In the Com- into which he ejected; O’Grady pany of Heroes), was required to was able to grab a survival bag respond to sequentially diverse from the wreckage, run, hide, circumstances, reflecting the in- blacken his face with dirt, eat creasing phenomenon of “revolv- leaves, grass, and assorted bugs and collect rainwater with a sponge in plastic bags, surviving Ex-POW Bulletin until rescue by the U.S. Marines. Nov/Dec 2014 29 delivered by the Red Cross, which SERE, cont’d... was soon acknowledged as re- Thus, it is worth noting that ing jailers”. Durant’s captors ceived by his wife Lorrie in the while SERE training comes in varied from day to day; first many forms, the lack of any saved from an angry mob by formal SERE training for both a neighborhood militia historical and modern com- leader, Yousef Dahir Mo’alim, bat POWs found and will con- they would be stopped by an- tinue to find ample feasible other better armed band of and utilitarian substitution maverick mooryan which con- through the simple use of sidered him not a POW to be common sense, creative ap- swapped for captured clan plication and dedication to leaders but a hostage for the mission. whom someone would pay “big” money. Durant says his Awareness of one’s surround- immediate fear of being ex- ings and circumstances may ecuted or tortured eased but well be key to survival, and his early mob experience application of resourceful made him fear discovery by courage and sound judgment the Somali public. never hurts. Cornum ob- Commonsensically, he com- serves that training may be bined “heads up” from his SERE media as “As you always say Mike, especially helpful to those who background (e.g., cultivate your Night Stalkers Don’t Quit”. Durant are very young and inexperienced, captors, be polite, learn words for credits Army SERE training with but the impact of mature think- please (pil les an) and thank you, saving his life. ing skills plus an understanding (ma hat san-e) with an accelerated of the core values can well sus- on-site lessons learned curve (e.g, In addition to former POWs re- tain captivity. eat whatever creature is cooked, turning to teach SERE courses, “don’t pick up bullets until they many former POWs have also The Code of Conduct and Core have cooled”, and “run like your written widely on their experi- values may be reflected in numer- hair is on fire”). Mindful of de- ences and future POWs have for- ous representations by various cades old POW stealth tactics, tuitously been able to stockpile names, Soldiers or Ranger or NCO Durant defiantly scribbling the 4 some advance knowledge as a re- Creed - or it may come in the letters for the motto of his unit, sult. In Edgar Hernandez: An more streamlined version, Army the 160th Special Operations Avia- Americam Hero (written in 2008 Warrior Ethos: “I will always place tion Regiment on the bottom of by Jose Martinez and Megan the mission first; I will never accept a light hearted pizza- craving note Rellahan), POW Hernandez, [one defeat; I will never quit; I will never of the 507th Maintenance Group leave a fallen comrade”. killed and/or captured as part of the ambush in Nasiriyah, Iraq on March 23, 2003], re- called that as he sat in his cell, woozy after sur- gery, he read the names on the wall of those who had come before him, and wondered if they included Rhonda Ex-POW Bulletin Cornum, whose book about her Nov/Dec 2014 1991 captivity, She Went To War, he had read in high school. 30 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.

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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 Nov/Dec 2014 31 In memory of Charlene Shelor, by VOLUNTARY FUNDING contributions Jay & Karla Essmiller In memory of Charlene Shelor, by In memory of John Cullinane, by Lou Melgren B Cullinane In memory of Charlene Shelor, by In memory of Luther C Jones, by Pat Shelor Anna Jones In memory of Charlene Shelor, by C Norman Gustafson, Scotch Steve & Margo Sayre Plains NJ In memory of Dorothy Campney, Donald Staight, Pacifica CA by Adeline Robinson Elizabeth Wilson, Sioux City IA In memory of Earl Mickelson, by Frank & Annie Kravetz, E Department of Colorado Pittsburgh PA In memory of Ed Slater, by Please send donations to: Joe Abbondondelo, Wantagh NY Wendell Fetters National Headquarters, 3201 East Lincoln & Mary Hanscom, In memory of Ed Slater, by Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Somersworth NH Wendell Fetters Arlington, TX 76010. Paul Klozik, Fraser MI In memory of Eileen Hawkins, by Robert Smith, Tomahawk WI Dick & Gloria Schroeder Checks must be made payable to In memory of James Logsdan, by AXPOW or American Ex-Prisoners Gerald Smith of War You can also make a In memory of Lester Stroup, by donation with a credit card the Rocky Mountain Chapter (MasterCard or Visa). Just call 817- In memory of Mary Venegoni, by 649-2979. Thank you! John Garavaglia The Legacy of your love In memory of Mary Venegoni, by can live on after… Mary Lucchesi GENERAL FUND In memory of Mary Venegoni, by An important way you can help Michael Engle ensure that the American Ex- Gladys Rask, Woodbridge NJ In memory of Mary Venegoni, by Prisoners of War is always there In memory of Mary Venegoni, by Mr & Mrs Arthur L Braun Phil & Karen Boice In memory of Mary Venegoni, by for returning POWs, their In memory of Art Latchaw, by Ruth & Mel Everding families and their dependents is Geri LeCain In memory of Mary Venegoni, by through your will or living trust. In memory of Arthur James Susan Vollmer Latchaw, by In memory of Mary Venegoni, by It’s very simple to make a In memory of Arthur James Tower Grove Place bequest to the American Ex- Latchaw, by Angelina Garcia In memory of Morris W Larkin, Prisoners of War. Simply share In memory of Arthur James by Elaine Larkin & Family this sentence with your attorney Latchaw, by Barry Goldstein In memory of Peter Glowacki, by or financial planner and they can In memory of Arthur James Jane Glowacki add the following to your will or Latchaw, by Donna Birkhofer In memory of Rex McElmurry, by living trust: In memory of Arthur James Almo McElmurry Latchaw, by Eleanor Huson In memory of Thomas Endecott, “I give, devise and bequeath to the In memory of Arthur James by Wendell Fetters American Ex-Prisoners of War, Latchaw, by Rosemary Hedlund In memory of Thomas Endecott, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, In memory of Arthur James by Wendell Fetters Arlington, TX 76010, the sum of Latchaw, by Susan Wittan $______or ______percent of the In memory of Arthur Meyers, by BULLETIN Department of Colorado rest, residue and remainder of In memory of Charlene Shelor, my estate.” Gladys Rask, Woodbridge NJ by Courtney Shelor In honor of Editor Cheryl In memory of Charlene Shelor, Please take a few minutes of your Cerbone, by Lloyd & Ruth Kilmer by Greg & LeAnn Shelor time to help. In honor of Editor Cheryl Cerbone, by the Brooklyn “Key” Thank you! Ex-POW Bulletin Chapter Nov/Dec 2014 32 new members National Headquarters 3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010; (817) 649-2979

New Members “Welcome Home” EDUARD UZUMECKIS PHD ELIZABETH A YANCY MAUREEN M CASSIDY SEDONA AZ CALAIS VT SON OF EDWARD A DAUGHTER OF CLYDE C UZEMACK, ETO CASSIDY, ETO

BERLE GENE KECK JANE GLOWACKI WASHTA IA FRANKLIN WI 15 AF 449 BG 717 BS DAUGHTER OF PETER ZAGREB, YUGOSLAVIA GLOWACKI, PAC 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]. You may include a picture with your order.

Ex-POW Bulletin Nov/Dec 2014 33 taps

Please submit taps notices to: Cheryl Cerbone, 23 Cove View Drive, South Yarmouth, MA 02664 ALEXANDER, Joseph, 82, of San FRY, Charles Dee, of Coushatta, LA Antonio, TX passed away Aug. 13, DONALDSON, Harold J, of Holden, passed away on Sept. 18, 2014 at 2014. He was thought to be the Louisiana, died May 14, 2014. He the age of 90. He served in the Army youngest POW from WWII – captured served in the US Army, and was held during WWII, fought in the European at age 15 while stationed at Clark in Stalags 7A and 2B. He is survived theatre, endured most of the rest of Air Base in the Philippines. He spent by Linda, his wife of 26 years, and the war as a prisoner in Germany, and the next 3 ½ years in various prison was active in the Red Stick Chapter. eventually escaped to the Allies. He camps. Survivors include Norma, his was a past National Director, AX- loving wife of 68 years, 1 son, 2 DULL, Lloyd W, 92, of Landisville, POW. Survivors include his wife, grandsons, 4 great-grandchildren. PA, passed away Aug. 25, 2014. Dur- Shirley, 1 son, 4 step-children, 10 ing WWII, he served with Co. B, 1st Btn, grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, ALPUERTO, Ben, 93, of Grand Prai- 134th Inf. Reg., 35th Div. After capture, 1 sister and nieces and nephews. rie, Texas, died December 29, 2013. he was held in Stalags 4B and 12A. Ben served in the 12th Med, 45th Inf Lloyd was an active member of AX- GILTZ, Artie, 90, died September Reg. He was a survivor of the Bataan POW, last serving as Chaplain for the 10, 2014. He was a member of the Death March and was held in Camp PA Dept. He leaves 2 sisters and many Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Ameri- O’Donnell. He also served in Korea. nieces and nephews. can Ex-Prisoners of War. He served th th Ben is survived by his wife of 28 in the ETO, 8 AF, 385 BG. He was years, Evelyn. ELIAS, Savedra, of San Rafael, NM held in Dulag Luft, Nurenberg, Stalag died June 4, 2014. He was 96 and a VIIA. BOWERS, Carmita “Mitzie” of Roar- survivor of the Bataan Death March ing Springs, PA passed away July 17, (USA, Btry C., 200th Coast Artillery). GLOWACKI, Peter A., of Hales Cor- 2014. She was the wife of ex-POW He was preceded in death by his ner, WI passed away July 26, 2014 at Roger (held in Stalag 9B). Mitzie was wife, Rose; survivors include 1 son, the age of 94. He was a survivor of the chaplain for the Southern 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grand- the Bataan Death March and 3 ½ Alleghenies Chapter, AXPOW. In ad- children and their families. years captivity in the Philippines and dition to her husband of 66 years, Japan. Peter loved his country and she is survived by 1 son, 2 grandchil- ELSTAD, John Orvin, 95, of Eastside, was proud to have served. He was dren and 5 great-grandchildren. MN passed away Feb. 5, 2014. Dur- predeceased by his wife, Florence. ing WWII, he was shot down over Italy Survivors include 8 children, 25 BROOKS, James E., of Pittsburg, KS and held in Germany. John was a life grandchildren and 27 great-grand- died April 13, 2014. He was 91. Jim member of AXPOW. He leaves 2 children. was captured while serving with the daughters, 1 son, 2 grandchildren, 2 8th AF, flying out of England. He was granddaughters and their families. GUARINO, Larry, of Indian Harbour held until liberation. He leaves his Beach, FL died in August, 2014. He wife of almost 70 years, Claudia, 1 FARCHIONE, Amelia “Mimi”, of was 92. He served in WWII, Korea and son, 1 daughter, 4 grandchildren and Fairport, NY died July 19, 2014. She Vietnam. He was captured in the Viet- 12 great-grandchildren and their was the beloved wife of ex-POW nam War and held more than 7 years. families. He was dearly loved by his Daniel (4th Inf. Div., 12th Reg., 6-G). His wife, Evelyn, survives him; he also family. Mimi is also survived by 5 daughters, leaves 4 sons, 8 grandchildren and 6 1 son, 13 grandchildren and 4 great- great-grandchildren. DETWILER, Donald M. (Stompie) of grandchildren. Santa Barbara, CA passed away HEIMKE, Karl F., of Overland Park, August 3, 2014. He was a life member FIELDS, Daniel F of Independence, KS passed away July 6, 2014. He is of AXPOW. He served with the 390th MO passed away on August 16, survived by his wife of 61 years, BG, Framlingham, England. He was 2014. He joined the army in 1941 Betsy Herold Heimke, a civilian ex- shot down, captured and held until and served with Darby Rangers, Bat- POW, 4 children, 6 grandchildren and liberation. Survivors include 1 son, 1 talion 1, Co C. He was captured in 4 great-grandsons. He served his daughter, 3 grandsons, 5 great- Cisterna in 1944 and spent 16 country in the Army Air Corps dur- grandchildren and many nieces and months as a POW. He also served as ing WWII. Karl and Betsy were active nephews. a volunteer at the VA Hospital in KC. members of the Heart of America He leaves his wife of 67 years, Vera, Chapter, AXPOW. Ex-POW Bulletin 2 daughters and 1 granddaughter. Nov/Dec 2014 We were so proud of his service and HOSTETTER, Frank, of Sun City Cen- 34 his accomplishments ter, FL, died June 12, 2014. Frank 2014. He served in the AAC during dren, 3 of whom pre-deceased him, taps cont’d... WWII, stationed in England; he was grandchildren, and great-grandchil- shot down over Germany and held dren. He will be missed. served. in three wars, WWII, Korea and until liberation. He was married for Viet Nam. He was captured and held 54 years to Bertie E. Miller, whom he RUETSCH, Robert D. born Novem- in Bucharest Rumania. He is survived wed on April 9, 1960. Frank was a ber 6, 1923 died October 16, 2013 by his wife of 68 years, June. member of the Conestoga Chapter, in Columbus, Ohio after a short ill- AXPOW. He leaves his wife of 54 ness less than a month short of his KASPER, Leonard J., 96, of years, Bertie, 1 son, 1 daughter, one 90th birthday. He was a B-24 Ball Streamwood, IL passed away Aug. 2, step-son, 6 grandchildren and 4 Turret Gunner with the 512th BS, 376th 2014. He was captured while serv- great-grandchildren. BG. His plane went down on his 43rd ing with the 2nd Inf., Co. B and held mission on January 31, 1945 and he until liberation. He leaves 2 sons, 6 NOAH, Robert J. Sr., member of the was a POW for approximately 90 grandchildren, and many nieces and Greater Greensboro Chapter (NC) days at Nuremberg and Moosburg. nephews. AXPOW, died Sept. 8, 2014. He was His wife, Mary Jane, preceded him in 93. Serving with the 1st Div. “The Big death. He is survived by five children, KIRBY, Don, 91, of Groveport, Ohio, Red” during WWII, he was captured six grandchildren, and eight great died July 28, 2014. He served in the in North Africa and held in Italy un- grandchildren. His oldest son was 8th Air Force during WWII; he was shot til escaping and being protected by born 7 days after his capture. Two down, captured and held for 17 the local Italians until the end of the of his sons retired from the USAF and months. He was a member of AXPOW war. Survivors include 1 son, 2 daugh- a daughter-in-law also served in the and Ohio Chapter #1 where he last ters, 1 sister, 5 grandsons and 2 Air Force. A grandson served in the served as Sr. Vice Commander. He is great-grandchildren. Marines in Iraq. It is believed that he survived by his wife of 68 years was the last surviving member of his Helen, 1 daughter, 6 grandchildren O’HARA, Irvan G., 98, of Fort Tho- crew. and 13 great-grandchildren. mas, OH passed away September 13, 2014. Irvan proudly served his coun- SABOL, Allen S. of Missouri passed KNIGHT, Buel, of Northport, AL try during World War II with the 8th away August 1, 2014 at the age of passed away Sept. 9, 2014. He was Air Force, stationed in Grafton En- 92. He was captured while serving 96. During WWII, he served in the gland. He was a POW in Germany. with the 492nd BG and held in Stalag Army; he was captured in the Battle He was a member of the OKI Chap- Luft 4. His wife, Ruth, predeceased of the Bulge and imprisoned at Stalag ter, AXPOW. Irvan was preceded in him; he is survived by 2 children and 9B and 9A. He also served in Korea death by his wife, Jane; he is survived 2 grandchildren. Working almost and Vietnam. Buel was an active by 1 daughter, 1 son, 1 step-daugh- singlehandedly on this for years, member of AXPOW, serving as Na- ter, 3 grandchildren and 3 great- Allen was responsible for the legis- tional Director for the Southeast grandchildren. lation in Missouri whereby 100% ser- Region. Survivors include his son, vice connected disabled former Ronald, 2 grandsons and 4 great- OKULA, Sylvia, widow of Francis, POW’s are exempt from Missouri real grandchildren. died in April, 2014, in Atlanta, GA. estate taxes. He was a man with Francis served in the ETO, 8th AF, 95th dogged determination and extreme MAJOR, John C. “Bub”, of Chewelah, BG, 336th BS, and was held in Stalag caring for his fellow Ex-Prisoners of WA died Feb. 5, 2014 just one month Luft III, VI, I and VI. Sylvia was a mem- War. He will be sorely missed by all shy of his 90th birthday. He was cap- ber of the Florida Gulf Coast Chap- who knew him. tured while serving with the 106th Inf. ter. Div. in the Battle of the Bulge; he was SCHOLTEN, Donald J., of Sarasota, held in Stalag 4B until he escaped PETERSON, John E. of Sun City West, FL died May 6, 2014 at the age of to American lines. He was an active AZ, a long time member of the Agua 88. He served with the 106th Inf. Div, member of AXPOW and the Spokane Fria Chapter, passed away on August 423rd G Company. He was captured Chapter. Bub is survived by his wife, 11, 2014. John was in European in the Battle of the Bulge, held until Peggy, children, grandchildren and Theater Operations, 1st Armored Di- he escaped to US lines. He leaves his great-grandchildren. vision, 16th Eng. He was held in wife of 65 years, Mary Ann, 3 daugh- Stalag 7A until liberation. He is sur- ters, 8 grandchildren and 2 great- MICKELSON, Earl S., of Littleton, CO vived by his wife Mary. grandchildren. passed away Sept. 18, 2014. He was a member of the Mile High Chapter, PLECKER, McPherson “Mac”, 92, of SCHUETTE, Orlyn L. “Orly”, 92, of AXPOW. During WWII, he was cap- Palm Harbor, FL passed away July 10, East Dundee, IL died Aug. 19, 2014, tured and held in 12A while serving 2014. He served in the Navy, Pacific exactly 70 years after being captured with the 508th Para. Inf., 82nd AB. His Theater, and was held in Woo Sung, and held as a POW. He was shot wife, Alice, survives him. China and Fukaoka, Japan. He was Ex-POW Bulletin a long-time member of the Florida MILLER, Francis P, 92, of Lancaster, Gulf Coast Chapter. Mac had 8 chil- Nov/Dec 2014 PA passed away on September 20, 35 49ers Chapter fondly remember Bob VLAD, Dan J., 92, of Struthers, OH taps cont’d... and Marion and they are missed. passed away in September, 2014. down over Romania and imprisoned. During WWII, he served with the US He is survived by his wife, Betty, 1 SMITH, Robert C., 90, of Cocoa, FL Army, was captured and held in Ger- daughter, 1 son, 1 stepson, 9 grand- passed away Dec. 31, 2013. He was many for 6 months. He was an active children, 14 great-grandchildren, 1 a life member of AXPOW and the member of the former Mahoning Val- sister and 1 brother. Brevard Space Coast Chapter. Dur- ley Chapter, AXPOW. Dan leaves 1 ing WWII, he served with the 83rd Div, son, 2 grandchildren and 1 great- th SIMMONS, Harry, of Newberry, FL 329 Co. He was captured after be- grandchild. died Sept. 13, 2013. He was 91. Dur- ing injured and held in Stalag VIIA. ing WWII, he served with the 351st BG; He leaves his wife of 66 years, Nita, YOCHUM, Francis X., of Vincennes, he was shot down, captured and held 1 daughter, 2 sons and 4 grandchil- IN died April 16, 2014 at the age of in Stalag 17B. Survivors include 1 son, dren. 97. He was captured in North Africa, th 1 daughter and 1 sister and their while serving with the 9 Div., Co. M, th families. STROUP, Lester L., of Colorado 47 Inf., sent to Italy, then Germany Springs, CO passed away Aug. 17, and held in Stalag IIB. Survivors in- SMITH, Marion May, 87, of Colo- 2014. He was captured in Korea clude one nephew, James. nd rado Springs, CO died July 27, 2014. while serving with the 2 Inf. Div. and She was preceded in death by her held in Camps 3 and 5 until being ZAMPIERI, Tullio, 97, of Barre, VT husband, Robert (Bob), ex-POW who repatriated in “The Big Switch”. Lester passed away July 27, 2014. He and served in Company B, 398th Infantry served as commander and vice com- his wife, Yvette were life members Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, mander of the Rocky Mountain Chap- of Vermont Chapter #1. He served nd USA. Both Marion and Bob were life ter, AXPOW. He is survived by his with the US Army 422 Infantry Regi- members of AXPOW and long-time, wife, Doris, 2 daughters, 2 sons, 10 ment. He was captured at the Battle active members of the 49ers Chap- grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, of the Bulge and held at Stalag 4B. ter, Sacramento, CA. Bob also served 2 sisters and 1 brother. He will be Survivors include his wife, 9 chil- as chapter commander. Marion is missed by all who knew him. dren, 16 grandchildren, 30 great- survived by two sons and their fami- grandchildren, siblings, nieces and lies. Friends of the Smiths in the nephews.

chaplain One man related that he would not tection of God to be the number two have married his wife “…she’s the ruler in the land of Egypt. meanest woman in three counties” Many years later, he was reunited But is that really the proper thing to with his family. In Genesis 50:20 he do (if you could)? For instance if assures them of his good intentions, the man had married some one else “But as for you, ye thought evil he would not have the two children against me; but God meant it unto he has now. He may or may not have good…” had children. If he had children they ND Benny would not be the children he has The point is simply: No matter what now. Who knows? The “new” wife and terrible blows life hands us our faith Rayborn children may be more of a problem in God can carry us through the bad than the present one. times of life to a better future.

It has been said that our service per- My prayer for you this issue is “May sonnel came home from the war and God take you through life and help built a country. you surmount all of life’s problems. They were shaped by their experi- In the name God’s Son, Amen.” From time to time I hear someone say, ences. Good or bad, we all are “If I had it to do over I would…” Or, shaped by our experiences. Although I hear: “If I had my life to live over, I we have our emotions, those feel- would….” And then, they would go ings are influenced by events that on to say what they would change. happen around and to us.

Joseph in the book of Genesis was sold into slavery by his brother. He Ex-POW Bulletin suffered harsh experiences but he Nov/Dec 2014 rose through the grace, care and pro- 36 BennyBennyBenny Ex-POW Bulletin ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO Nov/Dec 2014 AXPOW OR AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR 37 American Ex-Prisoners of War Website Biography www.axpow.org If you are not a current member of AXPOW, you must submit documentation of your POW status.

Name: Nickname:

Address:

City/State/Zip: Telephone:

Spouse:

Email:

Conflict and Theater of Operation:

Branch of Service: Unit:

Where were you captured? Date captured:

POW camps you were held in:

How long were you a POW? Date liberated:

Medals received:

Job in the military:

After military service:

Your biography listing may include 1 or 2 photographs (color or black and white) and a 1000 word or less narrative. Please type or print your narrative. Photos and narratives may be emailed to [email protected] please reference “Biography” and your name.

Send to: American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 East Pioneer Parkway #40Arlington, Texas 76010-5396. Please include your check for $65.00, your photos and narrative (or indicate what date they were emailed). Ex-POW Bulletin Nov/Dec 2014 38 50/50 drawing June 28, 2014 Arlington, TX

The National 4th (IVY) Division Association 1st Place JEANNE BREESE, AZ $202.20 2nd Place MARIE CARLSSON, TX $151.65 donated back to organization Formed at Camp Greene, NC, on November 17, 3rd Place MARIE CARLSSON, TX $101.10 1917 for service in World War I. The “IVY Division” donated back to organization has a long and distinguished heritage that continues 4th Place ELLEN BLOCKER, MS $50.55 through World War II, the Cold War in Europe, Vietnam, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation These drawings help raise money needed for our Enduring Freedom. operating expenses. They allow our members to participate in a very worthwhile project, while Membership in the Association is open to all giving them a chance to win. 50% of the dona- former Veterans and currently serving Soldiers tions will be given to the General Fund and the of the 4th ID and attached units. The 96th Annual other 50% are awarded as prizes. The amounts Reunion will be September 9-14, 2014, in are determined after all donations are received. Lexington, Kentucky. You do not have to be present to win. Please make copies of the tickets on the other side and Check our website at www.4thinfantry.org for offer them to your Chapter members, family membership and reunion information. and friends. We are asking $5.00 for 6 tickets. These donations are not tax deductible. Fill out the tickets and send them and your donations “Steadfast and Loyal” to: 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 Name: ______attached to the 106th,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 Nov/Dec 2014 e-mail:[email protected] 39 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. (6/15) Thank you for your support. (6/15)

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. (6/15) Thank you for your support. (6/15)

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 (6/15) Thank you for your support. 6/15) Nov/Dec 2014 40 American Ex-Prisoners of War

Ex-POW Bulletin Nov/Dec 2014 41 AXPOW Gravesite Medallion AXPOW Vest Order Form AXPOW Challenge Coin (For members only) Name______

Address______

City, State, Zip ______

Size (Men/coat, Women/chest measurement) ______The Medallion is 4", Bronze/Brown Long, Regular or Short______with Lacquer. Hardware for mounting is included. Weight - Name on front of vest approximately 1.25 lb. ______check with your local cemetery great gifts...great hand- before ordering to see if medallions Chapter Name (back of vest) outs...great way to show your are permitted. ______pride in your organization $75.00 AXPOW Logo on front/Five Price: $55.00, includes S/H services on reverse plus $15.00 S/H/I Please allow 8-10 weeks for delivery. Shipping costs on two or ea more is $20.00. $10.00

Official AXPOW Cap (specify size) 40.00 12x18 AXPOW Graveside Flag 10.00 Vinyl Cap Bag 3.00 Name Badge Order Form 3x5 ft. AXPOW Flag w/3-color logo 60.00 Necktie w/logo (regular only) 30.00 (for members only) Aluminum License Plate 5.00 U.S. Flag Bolo Tie 20.00 3” Vinyl Decal 1.00 Mini POW Medal Bolo Tie 30.00 Actual size of badge is 3” Inside Decal 1.00 Brooch pin 5.00 size of a credit card 8” Vinyl Decal 6.00 EX-POW pin (goldtone) 5.00 PLEASE PRINT: 12” Vinyl Decal 10.00 Logo pin 5.00 Bumper Sticker “Freedom – Ask us” 2.00 POW Stamp pin 3.00 Name ______AXPOW Prayer Book 2.00 Past Chapter Commander pin 5.00 Ladies Prayer Book 1.00 Past Department Commander pin 5.00 Line 1 ______POW DVD – ETO or Pacific 11.00 Magnetic Ribbons 5.00 Line 2 ______“Speak Out” Education Packet 6.00 Challenge Coins 10.00 CLOTH STRIPES (specify which title) 3.00 Eagle pin w/Barbed Wire 8.00 Name Badge with name & chapter and Life Member · Chapter Commander · Chaplain · (specify gold, silver or antique gold) Historian · Past Chapter Commander ·Chapter Adj/ Vest Chainguard 8.00 city: $6.00(includes S/H) Treas 4” Blazer Patch 4.00 Ship to: Chapter Adjutant ·Chapter Treasurer ·Dep’t 2” Medallion (for plaque) 6.00 Street ______Commander Canvas Totebag w/4” logo 15.00 Past Dept. Commander · Dep’t Adjutant AXPOW Notecards (pkg of 25) 6.00 City/State/Zip ______Dep’t Treasurer · Sr. Vice Commander Special Prayer Cards (pkg of 25) 6.00 Jr. Vice Commander · Service Officer · Legislative AXPOW By-Laws 5.00 Officer·Past Chapter Officer · Past Department Officer We accept Master Card/Visa 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/Credit Card Accepted. Total: $ For credit card orders: Card # ______Expiration: ______(Check one) Master Card ______Visa______Name ______FOR ALL ORDERS, MAIL TO: Address ______AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR City, State, Zip ______3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40 Phone ______Arlington, Texas 76010-5396 817-649-2979 [email protected] What is a Veteran? - Author unknown

The veteran is special because he or she is se- lected. The fact that they are selected makes them something special. They are no longer free; they are subject to military law. They be- come a special breed, committed to fight to the death for the ideals of freedom around the world.

They cannot be flat-footed; they cannot be lame; they must be as perfect as possible.

They must be mentally alert. They cannot be moronic. They must be able to read and write.

They must have some talent. They must be morally fit. They cannot be a criminal. They cannot be nervously unstable. They must know the difference between right and wrong. They live in unsegregated barracks as equals; they fight together for freedom.

Only the best physically, mentally and mor- ally are called to war. The tragedy is that only the best are fit to be killed. In our sophisti- cated society, this special breed of men and women perform a sacrificial service. Only the brave are selected and only a race of ingrates would forget their sacrifice.

This special breed, this select group, these physical specimens -- ony the best -- these citi- zen soldiers, sailors, and airmen went to war, at the behest of Congress in defense of free- dom all over the world and they became the best fighting men and women history will ever know.

They came home as veterans -- gassed and shell-shocked from Chateau-Thierry; bedraggled from the Battle of the Bulge; hungry from Corregidor; frozen from the Chosen Reservoir; maimed from Vietnam and in record time from Desert Storm. Some came back with yellow fever, some with malaria, some with TB. Some came back with mental disorders, some alcoholic; yes, some even returned as addicts and some with breathing problems from Desert Storm. Many live in the streets as urban POWs.

So, if you are asked, “What’s special about a Veteran?” answer firmly, “The Veteran is someone special, they are our charge, they are our responsibility. They answered our call when we needed them. “May God bless them, may God bless our country, and may God bless each and every one of you.

A veteran is the reason you are here! 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/ (817) 649-0109 fax e-mail: [email protected] No collect calls, please

Thank you for supporting the American Ex-POWS with your purchases of National $75.00 plus $15.00 S/H/I Merchandise. Shipping costs on two or more is $20.00. 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]