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Post by victor on Dec 28, 2013 23:37:55 GMT 8
Hi Okla, usually just ebay. There’s a “sentimental documenter” gene in me . I try to rescue some history particularly related to pre-war and early war Philippines. Those that I’m able to “rescue” I do, but for those that I can’t (too expensive), I just save the photos for record. This one I was able to rescue It’s a snapshot in time… a time machine. I’m particularly thrilled with the period beer labels especially the San Miguel! Batteryboy, thanks for the battery identification. I’ll make note of them! Good info to have.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Dec 29, 2013 20:59:44 GMT 8
Hampton died on the Arisan Maru 10/24/1944
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Post by okla on Dec 30, 2013 3:03:40 GMT 8
Hey Bob....Thanks for the info on Private Hampton....Anytime I see photos of these unfortunate, young American guys, stationed halfway around the world, not having any idea of how exposed they were to become in a very short time, it never fails to sadden me, somehow. Many of them, as I have stated on this Forum several times, volunteered for the Military and also asked for Foreign Duty, often, just to escape the drudgery and poverty back in the Depression era US. That must have pretty good duty, way out there in the Pre-War PI, but grim reality was just around the corner. I would think that your Father was pretty much involved in this Senario or was he a member of a recently activated National Guard Unit that was posted to the USAFFE??? I have also told, on this Forum, of how my ex-Niece In-Law's Grandfather enlisted in the US Army in early 1941, asked for Foreign Service and ended up in the 31st Infantry Regiment, Company G or H, at the Abucay Line on Bataan and was subsequently taken Prisoner in April 1942.He was in one of the Field Hospitals so didn't have to endure the Death March. He survived the war, being liberated from Bilibid in early 1945. He lived until the 1990s. I was not fortunate to have known him, much to my regret. I have told this story so many times on this Forum I would imagine that some of the older members are weary from hearing it one more time. I will cease for now. Thanks again for the Info pertaining to Private Hampton.
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Post by fortman on Dec 30, 2013 13:13:29 GMT 8
Not to worry Okla, your stories are much appreciated.
fortman
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Post by Bob Hudson on Dec 31, 2013 6:06:42 GMT 8
Okla, My father came to the Philippines in 1936 and was attached to the 31st Infantry. He transferred into the Quartermaster Corps at some point and was in Manila when the war broke out. He was immediately sent to Bataan and surrendered in Mariveles. Wound up in a POW camp a few miles NW of Nagasaki in 45. The in between details of his experiences are similar to all others captured in the Philippines. His Hellship experience, although terrible was better than some and his work detail the the Tayabas province was one of the worst of the war. Hell....I'm just happy to be here!
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Post by okla on Dec 31, 2013 11:06:39 GMT 8
Hey Bob....Was your Father at the Nagasaki POW Compound when the Atom Bomb was dropped on that City? It's a wonder that some Japanese hadn't massacred the Prisoners in an act of revenge. I can certainly see why you are just happy to be here. Lucky too, I would say. You have to be proud of your Father and his service, most of it performed during a period of much suffering.
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Post by victor on Dec 31, 2013 13:36:53 GMT 8
Bob, thanks for that piece of information. Sad. I would have guessed that this soldier had rotated home and thus has a photo album surviving to this day. Maybe he mailed this photo album to his folks in the US before the war started.
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Post by victor on Nov 19, 2014 22:23:26 GMT 8
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