Letters To Our Editor
The picture above is of troops in Bataan, listening to the radio.
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Thank you for the help.
In actuality, I wasn't always interested in Bataan. When I was younger, I actually hated being Filipino and wished I was either Chinese or Japanese. I dedicated my studies to the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII and fighting against America's decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I was angry at America and could not forgive America for making the Japanese suffer during WWII.
My beliefs turned around sometime in the middle of high school when I read somewhere that someone was documenting the history of their family during WWII. I knew my grandmother was alive during the war, but she never spoke to any of us about it. Maybe it was because, given the education American children get these days, we were taught through elementary school and high school to place a lot of shame on America and pity the Japanese for what went on during the war (i.e. internment, firebombing, nuking)... Anyhow, I asked her about what happened. She told me about how they had to always hide when the Japanese came through where she lived in Manila, how the Japanese soldiers would throw babies in the air and bayonet them, how her first husband died during the war, how she had to hike on foot what takes us at least a 5 hour drive in the philippines to hide up in the mountains with the indigenous tribes during the war, how her sisters were captured and raped and tortured during the war (the Japanese went so far as sticking lit cigars up their private parts while they were tied to posts), etc. etc. And she started crying... and then it hit me how ignorant I have been and how much I had probably hurt her by my crusades to justify the Japanese taking over Asia and criticizing Americans for interfering.... can you believe I actually preached back then that the Philippines was better off under Japan? What scares me, though, is I'm the only grandchild of hers-- out of at least 20 or so =P -- who took the time to do this and recognize this. Most of my cousins just laughed when they passed by and heard her talking to me. =( That really, really, really, really hurt a lot.
In a way, I felt cheated, though. Why were American school systems teaching us that kind of history in elementary school? Why were we glorifying the enemy-- Japan-- who had tortured and pillaged all their neighbors? Even more so, why were we glorifying an enemy who couldn't even teach its people the truth about what happened during the war? At my elementary school and high school, we were required to read tons of things on Hiroshima... and we were even required to read "Farewell to Manzanar" (pretty good book)... but why not "The Rape of Nanjing" or "Japanese War Crimes?" Why did we let the plight of the Koreans, the Chinese, the Filipinos, and other Asians waste away into some kind of forgotten bad dream? Why can't the Japanese even, to this day, recognize most of the evils their country committed during the war? So my shame turned into a pretty long quest for knowledge on what happened during the war.
C.M.
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Major Gordon,
Truly, you are an angel. I have been searching for information on Julius for quite a while, but kept coming up empty handed.
I was searching the database where I got your address last night and read about the horrible conditions which these men had to endure. It was truly inhumane.
Please contact your friend in Manila regarding his burial in the cemetery. I do not have a current death date, especially if there is no way he could have been there in 1943.
I worry that there were two Julius Miller's so here is some additional information which I have dug up...
Julius was in all probality born in Trenton, NJ on September 14, 1913 and entered the Army at Ft. Dix, NJ. This I am pretty sure about. (I just called my grandfather to double check but he was fishing.) Julius' parents names were Peter J. Miller and Amelia Miller. In all probability, Julius lived at 18 Mechanics Avenue in Trenton, NJ. Two of his siblings still live at this address but are very old and not helpful. Julius was one of 6 children, being the 2nd oldest.
I will write to the Superintendant in Manila and I am ordering a copy of Julilus' birth certificate in about one week.
Please let me know if there is any additional information which you might need, I can try and contact any living family members promptly.
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
D.N.
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Mr. Richard M. Gordon The Bataan Banner
Dear Mr. Gordon;
Just this morning I found your website, and it was stirring and exhilarating! It was special for me because it captured so much of what I find meaningful in life, both intellectually and personally.
Let me explain. My father, who passed away exactly one year ago, was involved in rescuing POWs on Luzon during World War II. Even as a very small child, he shared the sadness and pride that came with his experience. Although it left him with a lifelong scar of memories of what he saw (and how he viewed the Japanese) nevertheless it was a source of great pride to him to know that he was part of a glorious page in American military-and human history. From Manila to O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, to Baguio, he saw the horror first hand. A neighbor of his in South Philadelphia was one of the first locals killed in the War, Ralph Arneo--on Bataan. Little did my father know that he would get to see the place first hand.
Anyway, I studied history in college and served as an Infantry officer in the Vietnam era. My passion has always been around the first six months in the Pacific Especially, the fall of the Philippines. John Tolands's book, "But Not In Shame", is probably my favorite work of history. Over the years I have read many books and articles on Bataan and Corregidor. Sadly, I must say that most of them have not been very good.
It angers me that all the attention and good writing, by people like Stephen Ambrose and others has been directed at D-Day and the War in Europe. Perhaps that says something about Americans these days--that we only recognize winners. I read the Ralph Tenney book, "My Hitch In Hell", and attended a book signing he did. I was struck by his description of how many of the returning POWs from the Philippines were treated upon their return! For instance, being diverted to Seattle to avoid publicity, etc. My uncle was shot down over Austria a month before D-Day and was treated with kit gloves upon his liberation (for which I am thankful, of course).
No one seems to discuss this monumental feat of bravery! The more I read about the subject, the more I am amazed at the feats of heroism ... but no one is telling the story.
NBC did a special on the topic (hosted by Lloyd Dobbyns) years ago, it has disappeared. It is never mentioned on the national media. The only way it is covered locally in the Bay Area is in connection with the debate over Filipino veterans rights issues.
I am angered and sickened by it all. Do you know if any historian is preparing a manuscript (for the late Nineties) that presents the campaign? Perhaps I should do it in honor of my father
The price of freedom is often dear, and I believe that no American army has ever paid it more readily than the "BBBs!" My father and I often debated MacArthur (he was no fan of the man he called "Dougout Doug"). I am troubled by his seeming lack of leadership in the first few months of the war, as described by Costello and sic "Petillo"
Anyway, I would like to do whatever to continue letting people know that along with Saratoga, The Alamo, Gettysburg, and Normandy, there was a place that held the best of American courage, sacrifice and glory!
God Bless The Bastards!
Sincerely,
V.C.D.
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Dear Major Gordon,
I wrote to you some months ago regarding a list of movies related to your experiences on Bataan during WWII. Inspired by my fathers stories of his own service in the Pacific, (he arrived in Hawaii approx. the day Bataan fell,) I have not only passed this information along to him, but have taken a personal interest in the catastrophic events as well. Moved by the stories I have read -many great sources to draw from including books by Donald Knox (Bataan Death March) and Duane Schultz Hero of Bataan )- I was at once devastated and filled with pride by the fortitude and conviction of the men who fought that most-horrible of wars, both before and after the surrender. After doing this research, I felt compelled to write you again, this time to express my most sincere admiration for what you did so many years ago and what you are doing today in keeping the story of Bataan alive-via the Internet. My research has led me to embark on a project - at this time, too premature to mention - but which I hope to share with you soon.
I wanted to pass along a sentiment expressed by my father (now 82 years old,) whose memories are still very clear and vivid of his service as a member of the 27th Infantry Division who landed on Saipan, Makin and other islands in the Pacific. After reading the accounts of Bataan, I said to my father, "Thank God you were not on Luzon in the winter of 1942." And he replied without hesitation, "You know, had they given me a choice, if they had said to us, this is the situation, do you want to go? I would have gone (to Bataan) to help those fellas." Even after knowing everything he knows today, he made this statement with the greatest sincerity. My research of the Pacific conflicts has helped me understand a long-ago chapter in his life and has brought us closer. For that, I am most grateful.
All that being said, I am interested in contributing to the General Edward King memorial. How much are you trying to collect in total for the proposed memorial? My husband and I would like to help in this most deserved tribute.
Again, thank you for all the valuable information you have passed along to me. It is much appreciated and will not be forgotten.
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Major Richard M. Gordon (USA Ret.) Adjutant, Battling Bastards of Bataan
Dear Major Gordon:
I am a retired army officer about 25 years junior to you. I served on active duty for 11 years, in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for 11 years, and retired 3 years ago.
While attending the Reserve Component version of the US Army Command and General Staff College, I started to seriously study US military history. Throughout my military career, not very much was focused on battles or campaigns where United States did not fare too well except "Pearl Harbor". Unfortunately, these battles are precisely the ones that should be studied to learn what went wrong. (What went wrong in Bataan and Corregidor was not the fault of the military personnel stationed there, but the fault of the country to stay strong.) Even today our young people do not even know what the significance of December 7, 1941 is let alone the significance of the Philippines in 1941 - 42. So much for our public school system. At least when I was growing up we had a week of history on WWII. I also had an additional advantage of having a mother who was a Navy Nurse on Guam in 1945, and a father who was a B-29 pilot in training.
The web site for the "Battling Bastards of Bataan," is outstanding. Others could put a site on the web about Bataan, Corregidor, and the rest, but it would not be the same as one established by veterans of the Philippines in 1941-42. I added a special memorial page about "Pearl Harbor, Bataan, Corregidor, and the Visayan-Mindanao Force on the web site for my VFW post, in November 1997, because I thought it was important. You can view it at hftp://www.terracom.net/-vfwpost Please let know of any corrections I need to make. I will be expanding its content overtime.
I noticed in this months news letter that donations are being accepted for a memorial statue of General Jonathan M. Wainwright on Corregidor. I will be sending in a donation to support this very worthwhile cause. The little I know about General Wainwright, and what he did, made him in my opinion, one of the finest officers to ever serve in the United States
Army. Major General King was also a very fine officer, but not as much written material is available about him, and this is indeed a sad state of affairs. No officer of the United States armed forces should ever have been put in the position these two commanders were forced to face. As you know, Major General Sharp of the "Visayan-Mindanao Force" also had to make the same decision to surrender.
Your organization, is doing a great job in getting word out on the significance of Bataan. I would like to suggest that we (the American people) need to have a memorial to Bataan, Corregidor, and the Visayan-Mindanao Force in the Continental United States (in addition to Andersonville), and to Generals Wainwright, King, and Sharp. Possible location of the memorial would be at the "US Army Command and General Staff College" at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. If you know of a memorial in CONUS already, I would like to know where it is located.
Thank you for the service rendered by you and your comrades of Bataan to the United States and to me. May you and your force "The Battling Bastards of Bataan" be forever remembered.
Finally, as a suggested improvement to the BBB web site, may I suggest you keep the older versions of your news letter on line for a year.
Sincerely yours;
E.J. S.
Lieutenant Colonel, USAR (Retired) (Served 1973 - 1995)
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Subj: Bataan
Sir,
I am an American living in the Philippines. I live in Manila, and have been here with my family for 4 years. My husband is working for an electronics company here. I am the Cubmaster for the Cub Scouts of America here, and we are leaving today for 2-night camping trip to Bataan. My group of boys are in 4th grade, age 10, and I hope this trip offers them a lot of unique experiences. I wanted to find some information on Bataan to read to them on our way there, and found your site on the internet. It is fascinating reading, and I am anxious -to pass this information on to my Webelos den. Thank you for all of your time and effort on this site. We've been to Corregidor, and from there went directly to the U.S. Veteran's Cemetery here in Manila. It is an overwhelming site. I am looking forward to adding Bataan to my list of places visited, and to learning more about the World War II events that took place here.
I just wanted to write to let you know that your information is appreciated, and being used in a positive manner!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Dixon, Cub Scouts Pack 355: Manila, Philippines
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Major,
I was a young 5 year old boy during W.W.II, but like all of us, the imprint of that war is a lasting mark even until this day.
One day by myself, I happen see coming through our town of Barstow, FL a long military train transporting all sorts or military hardware. I thought, "man this is big, must be important. I wish someone else was with me to tell me what's this is all about" Later I found this equipment was headed to the port Boca Grande, FL to be used in the invasion of North Africa.
I remember seeing my first P/T boat patrolling off Clearwater Beach, FL. As a little tike I snapped to attention and saluted as Old Glory bristled in the wind off the stern of that gray "monster". You men with your courage are much more appreciated by my generation. I say, "thank you" and especially to those who endured such hardship in Asia.
Congratulations on a job well done!
You mention several POW camps in the Philippines. Do you recall or know anything about the camp on Palawan Island town of Puerto Princesa where 150 or so of our men were burned to death on December 15, 1944? 1 think 11 or so were able to escape and get word to our forces landing on Leyte of their experiences. It is quite a story. Wondered if you had info regarding the incident.
D.M.
Franklin, TN
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9-4-98
Dear Major Gordon,
I hope this written communication, finds you healthy, in all areas. I just wanted to take moment to thank you, and all the men, who fought and endured such terrible hardships, or our freedom. Though, I am retired military myself, I have some sort of a true insight, that tells me that what I have endured in my military career, was naught, compared to what you poor souls did. My late father, who was in the 2d Engineer Special Brigade, under General MacArthur, served throughout the campaigns of the Philippine Islands and New Guinea, and had come into contact with some of the Death March survivors. And, he had told me, on many occasions, that even what he had endured, was naught, compared to the ones, as yourself, who were left behind. So, in summary, I would like to say again, thank you sir.
G. E.
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Message: I am newly moved to my current neighborhood in Missoula, Montana and recently discovered that my next door neighbor served at Corregidor and was subsequently taken prisoner. Actually, I was told that he was at Bataan, but found out that it was actually Corregidor. I wanted to thank you for your information regarding what occurred there and the differences between the Bataan experience and Corregidor experience. Most importantly, I thank you for reminding me how much my generation has to be thankful for (I am 38) as a result of the many brave men and women who sacrificed so much for this country.
I am a school administrator. My father served in Korea. My uncles in both Korea and World War I (Germany, Phillipines, and England). Through them as well people like my next door neighbor, and you, I can gain a bit of perspective and can relate not first hand, but at least through the words of someone I know what it may have been like, what it meant. While I am hopeful that I or generations to come never have to experience such attrocities, I am also saddened that so much is taken for granted because of a failure to learn and an inability to hear it from people who were there.
Again, I thank you for your work - I will pass on your site to teachers at my school so that they may make good use of the information.
Sincerely,
M.M.
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Dear Richard,
I just had to drop you a line this morning to let you know that Abie Abraham responded to my letter. He told me that not only did he know Lyle, but he was his sergeant. He told me how Lyle was a good soldier and always tried to help the sick in prison camp. In battle he was brave and he was proud to have Lyle serve under him.
He also said that he wanted to include Lyle’s name in his book, "Oh God, Where are you?", but was unable to find our family to ask permission. I told my grandmother last night about the letter and she was so excited by all the information I was able to gather. I found out things that even she didn’t know.
I just wanted to say thank you, again, for all the help you’ve given me. You put a real human face on my family history and for that, I will always be grateful.
Thank you and God Bless,
D.W.
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