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Post by Bob Hudson on Dec 31, 2013 5:21:19 GMT 8
A sad soliloquy for brave men who took upon themselves to shoulder the burdens of their country and died under a cross rather than on one.
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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 Bob Hudson on Nov 24, 2013 8:56:51 GMT 8
I think we missed each other in 2011 when Jurika and Parsons had their presentation on Sakakida. I came with James Litton and Edna Binkowski. Don't forget that Bert Caloud will be at the Embassy. He's a great story teller and has a lot of them. Never met Zobel although we have communicated. Looking forward to meeting so many distinguished people such as yourself on December 7th.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Nov 23, 2013 8:56:13 GMT 8
So, how many people on this site will be attending the Peter Parsons presentation of "Corregidor, the Road Back" at the American Embassy in Manila on Saturday, December 7th? I am just curious who I can expect to see there?
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Post by Bob Hudson on Nov 14, 2013 14:24:29 GMT 8
John A Shoaf was a Staff Sgt when captured. Serial # 6397667. From Cabanatuan he was chosen to work on the Las Pinal detail in the general area of Manila. On 10/1/1944 he was marched through the streets of Manila and taken to Pier 7 where he boarded a hellship named the Hokusen Maru. On 10/3/1944 the Hokusen Maru left Manila Harbor and sailed to Hong Kong before steaming for Formosa(Taiwan) From there he was taken to the Osaka area of Japan where he was taken to to the Maibara 10 Labor camp. He most likely was sent there in 1945 from Taiwan. You many find more information on him in some files I have posted here> s972.photobucket.com/user/BataanSon/library/?sort=2&start=all&page=1
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Post by Bob Hudson on Nov 12, 2013 11:12:13 GMT 8
Bataan came out of the storm unscathed. My greatest fear here should the storm had struck us straight on were the coconut trees across the street from us where we live within 100 feet of the shore of Manila bay. Those coconuts become cannon calls in high winds and punched a couple of holes in the nipa cover of my front patio where I park my car. Aside from the terrible death and destruction, I have also given thought to what happened to the Statues of MacArthur and staff placed in the shallow water off the beach in Leyte representing their return to the Philippines. There seems to be no way to contact friends in that area to determine their fate. Everything is destroyed. Water, power, cellphone service is all gone. I m happy to hear that we are sending an Aircraft carrier there when can produce thousands of gallons of clean drinking water which is in dire need and they can help treat hundreds of victims who have been severely injured. It is my understanding that they can also run power from the carrier to shore, God help those people. I cannot come close to imagining 195 mph winds. Certainly an Atmospheric Holocaust.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Nov 10, 2013 20:22:12 GMT 8
Bataan experienced similar conditions. Moderate winds and rain but no damage. We were lucky. If it had turned north and hit highly populated areas, the death toll would would have been unbelievably high. We have coconut trees nearby and the coconuts become cannonballs in high winds, which we have already discovered previously. I can't even imagine 250 kilometer per hour winds. My prayers go out to those poor souls who because of their impoverished lives, were in a situation impossible to survive in.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Oct 22, 2013 9:42:50 GMT 8
Okla,
There is a searchable Life magazine site on the internet somewhere. Was there a few years ago so it may not still be up and running but it was searchable by "keyword" and I found some good stories and photos. What stories and photos...I don't remember now. I'm having trouble with my brain cells working in conjunction with each other these golden years of my retirement. I do understand your sentiment about the the interactions of these soldiers before, during and after the war. The atrocities they endured and witnessed were burned into their minds eye forever. If it weren't for the fact that a great majority of these men could not not bear to write about their experiences, there would be a more informed public and the history of the Battle for the Philippines would have filled thousand of more pages of history. My father could not bear to speak of his involvement much less write about it to any extent without bringing those memories to life and dragging him down.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Sept 6, 2013 16:15:16 GMT 8
Hey, Okla....who you calling a geezer?
rik, I'm a retired 65 year old fossil living in Limay, Bataan. I've been a researcher for years as my father fought here and made the Death March. I know Leslie at the Chamber of Commerce and work with her and FAME. I have been in the Philippines for 18 months and I too love this country and culture. This past year, my Filipina fiancee and I personally cleaned and painted 75 of the 138 Death March Markers and I worked hard to find businesses to adopt about 40 others. A few remain in poor condition and I am working with someone in Angeles City to adopt those. Come down here some day and I'll give you the 50 cent tour. Might even get you to help me clean and paint a couple of markers. Welcome to the group.
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Post by Bob Hudson on Aug 30, 2013 14:29:19 GMT 8
From the Commandant, 16th Naval District 10 April 1942 link
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