March/April 2003 - Philippine Defenders Main

The
VOLUME 57 PITTSBURGH, PA — MARCH/APRIL, 2003 NUMBER 5
LATEST U.S. APPEALS COURT DECISION UNDERSCORES NEED
FOR CONGRESS TO ACT NOW TO SUPPORT CLAIMS
OF WWII SLAVE LABORERS
Ninth Circuit Court decision to dismiss slave labor cases emboldens
resolve of former POWs to press case before Congress
San Diego, CA — From the perspective
of the former prisoners of war forced into
slave labor by Japanese companies during
World War II, U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher
(R-CA) appropriately summed up the
decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals to dismiss lawsuits brought
against the offending Japanese corporations,
including Mitsubishi and Mitsui:
“If these American heroes can’t find
justice through the courts, then it is more
important that we give it to them through
the Congress,” Rohrabacher said. “The
next time our country is attacked we’ll
have to send the judges out to defend us,
and then see what they think.”
The court’s decision, which many
believe was influenced by U.S. State
Department efforts to deny the POWs
compensation, was rendered three months
after a letter from Reps. Chris Cannon
(R-UT) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) asked the
State Department to “increase its efforts
to resolve the claims of this select group of
U.S. Veterans.” It also came in the wake
of a contradictory decision rendered only a
week earlier by the California State
Appeals Court for the Second District to
allow Korean victims the opportunity to
proceed with their litigation. Generally,
respect for federalism compels federal
courts to defer to the decisions of state
courts on issues of state law. However, the
federal appeals court seemed oblivious to
the diametrically opposite conclusions of
the California appellate court, and failed
to reference the decision.
“The success of Mitsui, Mitsubishi and
other Japanese companies in this wrongly
decided opinion is attributable to the
State Department’s legal efforts on behalf
of these companies and against their own
brave heroes of World War II, many of
whom are survivors of the Bataan Death
March,“ said David Casey, lead counsel
representing the American slave laborers.
“This offensive disregard for American
soldiers by the Administration is underscored
by the fact that the Administration
is now asking a new generation of
Americans to enter combat, while depriving
their grandfathers of their right to sue
corporations for unjust enrichment, based
on some of the most horrific exploitation
and slavery ever endured. What will these
young men and women think as they see
how their grandfathers — many of whom
are passing away without receiving even
an apology — are being treated by their
country?”
Attorneys for the former POWs plan to
petition for a rehearing by the full appeal
court, and will also welcome support from
members of Congress and the White
House to expedite a resolution for the
aging veterans. In the past, U.S. Senators
Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee, and Dianne
Feinstein (D-CA), a member of that
committee, have advocated a legislative
remedy, holding hearings to address the
issue, as have leaders in the House,
including Reps. Mike Honda (D-CA) and
Rohrabacher.
“I don’t understand why the Ninth
Circuit has rejected our right to proceed in
court against private Japanese companies,”
said Lester Tenney, a former
POW who survived the Bataan Death
March and was forced into slave labor for
Mitsui and Co. “Clearly the Court has
chosen to adopt the position of the State
Department — and to prioritize the interests
of these multinational companies over
our claims for a long-overdue apology and
fair compensation. Our Federal Court has
effectively finished the job of denying us
justice that was started by the Japanese
companies over 50 years ago. I am gravely
disappointed in the ruling.”
“It is shameful that the Japanese cor -
porations, rather than apologize and
compensate the POWs, have hidden
behind the legal shield raised by the State
Department,” added Casey.
A history of the ex-POWs’ struggle for
justice can be found at www.justicefor
veterans.org.
NATIONAL CONVENTION
If you haven’t made your plans for our
National Convention in Albuquerque, NM,
now is the time. Remember the cutoff date
is April 29, 2003. Call the Hilton at their
free phone number, 800-274-6835 asking
for the ADBC rate of $79. This year the
Western States Chapter will meet at the
same time for their chapter meeting. The
American Guerrillas of Mindanao (AGOM)
will also continue to be with us. The
ADBC E-mailers Group and Descendants
Group (DG) are combining for a special
luncheon. The widows will be our guests
at their regular luncheon.
As you will see on the schedule, we will
have our normal meetings as well as host
bars in the evening. The QUAN party will
have a good dance band for those still
able.
We will have our Memorial Service on
Saturday morning with a roll call of those
listed in The QUAN this past year. If you
have knowledge of men who passed away
but have not been listed in The QUAN
please contact the Rev. Robert Phillips or
Andy Miller so these names can be added.
At the Saturday evening banquet we
are honored that Lieutenant General
Edward D. Baca, USA (Ret.) will be with
us as our Convention speaker. He carries
a heavy speaking schedule around the
country and with the state of the world
right now his words will be of much interest
to all of us. After his speech we will
honor some of our members for their
service to the ADBC.
Do your best to attend. Our lines are
getting shorter. God Bless You.
Joe Vater
————————
PHILIPPINE SCOUTS
May 1-3, 2003
The Philippine Scouts Heritage Society
19th annual national reunion will be held
at the Radisson Villa Hotel in San Mateo,
CA. Anyone interested in attending,
please contact Nat’l. President Larry L.
Pangan, (707) 426-0134; Chapter
President Delfin Pahed, GGBAC (415)
239-4248; or Nat’l. Sec. Joe S. Aquino
(650) 873-5272.
Sincerely,
Larry L. Pangan
Nat’l. President
(707) 426-0134

BOOK WRITING
Hi Joseph,
Just a little on my background. I am a 4
year vet of the Navy 1945 to 1949.
I am writing a book on and about the SS
273, the USS Rubalo. It was lost July 2,
1944 off Balabac Island, P.I. I had a
schoolmate on it. He was one of 4 who
made it to land but was captured by the
Japanese and never made it home.
I have been over 6 years on the book.
Information is very hard to come by.
I have been in touch with Andrew
Miller in Albuquerque, N.M. He has been
a great help and a good friend.
Thank you,
Harvey Carlisle
7934 Neenah Ave.
Burbank, IL 60459
2 — THE QUAN
The
Dedicated to those persons both living and dead who fought against
overwhelming odds against the enemy at the outbreak of World War II.
Official Publication of the
AMERICAN DEFENDERS OF BATAAN & CORREGIDOR, INC.
(INCLUDING ANY UNIT OF FORCE OF THE ASIATIC FLEET, PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO,
WAKE ISLAND, GUAM OF THE MARIANA ISLANDS, AND DUTCH EAST INDIES)
PUBLISHED 5 TIMES A YEAR
OMAR L. MCGUIRE AGAPITO E. SILVA JOHN M. REAL
Commander Jr. Vice Commander Secretary
2850 ALDER 1820 La Poblana, N.W. 8349 Vassar St.
Eugene, OR 97405 Albuquerque, N.M. 87104 Ventura, CA 93003
JOHN H. OLIVER MRS. JEAN PRUITT
Sr. Vice Commander Merchandise Sales
1400 Ocotilla Dr. 109 Young Dr.
Marble Falls, TX 78654 Sweetwater, TN 37874
MEMBERS OF THE INVESTMENT BOARD
Joseph T. Poster — Permanent Secretary
One Year Term (Class C) Two Year Term (Class B) Three Year Term (Class A)
PNC Joseph L. Alexander PNC Joseph Ward PNC Omar McGuire
*PNC Roy Gentry PNC Ralph Levenberg PNC Arthur Akullian
PNC Henry J. Wilayto PNC James Flaitz PNC Andrew Miller
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Arthur Akullian Walter Lamm
Henry Cornellisson Pete Locarnini
Charles Dragich Norman R. Matthews
Neal Harrington Albert Felsen
Charles B. Heffron Carlos Montoya
Charles Graham
All Incumbent State Commanders
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
801 Huntington Avenue, #53
Warren, IN 46792
HONORARY OFFICERS
*Kenneth Wheeler USN Ret. ..................................................Vice/Adm. (SC)
Harold E. Feiner ................................................Honorary Vice Commanders
Paul Reuter
JOHN CRAGO PNC
National Treasurer
Convention Site Committee
Membership Chairman
United Methodist Memorial Home #53
801 Huntington Ave.
Warren, IN 46792
219-375-2286
DUANE L. HEISINGER
Executive Secretary
7401 Bull Run Dr.
Centseville, VA 20121
703-222-2480
ANDREW MILLER
Historian
1605 Cagua Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87110
REV. ROBERT W. PHILLIPS
Chaplain
200 Seneca Trail
Maitland, FL 32751
DR. WILLIAM R. BRENNER
Surgeon
1006 State St.
Larned, KA 67550
PREVIOUS ERROR
Dear Mr. Vater,
In your January 2003 QUAN, I wish to
point out an error in the article on my
action in the Philippines that resulted in
me being awarded the Silver Star.
The truth of the matter is that although
I was captured by the Japanese on April 9,
1942 until April 11, 1942, I and two others
escaped and made our way to Corregidor
until capture again on May 6, 1942.
I could not have been in two places at
the same time on the Bataan Death
March and on Corregidor. Thank you for
your time and consideration in this
matter.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Craigg Jr.
101 Mitys Lane
Jacksonville, NC 28540
PAUL REUTER
Adjutant & Legislative Officer
516 Sandy Pl.
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
HAROLD E. FEINER
Judge Advocate
14565 S.E. 90th Ave.
Summerfield, FL 34491
JOSEPH A. VATER PNC
Editor of Quan
Co-Chairman Site Committee
18 Warbler Drive
McKees Rocks, PA 15136
412-771-3956
Fax: 412-875-6606
MARTIN S. CHRISTIE
Necrology Committee Chrmn.
23424 Mobile St.
West Hills, CA 91307-3323
JOSEPH WARD
Past Commander
451 Gilbert Lane
San Antonio, TX 78213
RALPH LEVENBERG, PNC
Special Projects
2716 Eastshore Dr.
Reno, NV 89509
PAST NATIONAL COMMANDERS
Harold Spooner *John E. Le Clair *John R. Lyons
*Rev. Albert D. Talbot *James K. Cavanaugh *Ken Curley
James McEvoy *Thomas A. Hackett Henry J. Wilayto
*M/Gen. E.P. King Jr. *Bernard Grill *Charles Bloskis
Simme Pickman Louis Scahwald Arthur Beale
Albert Senna *Jerome A. McDavitt Andy Miller
*Maurice Mazer John M. Emerick *Joseph Matheny
Joseph A. Vater Joseph T. Poster *George Wonneman
*Lewis Goldstein *John Bennett Frank Bigelow
*Albert C. Cimini *James D. Cantwell *Charles L. Pruitt
*Samuel M. Bloom, M.D. Ralph Levenberg Melvin L. Routt
*Kenneth J. Stull *Elmer E. Long, Jr. James R. Flaitz
*Harry P. Menozzi *Philip Arslanian John Koot
*John F. Ray John Rowland Roy Y. Gentry
*Samuel B. Moody John Crago Edward Jackfert
*Arthur A. Bressi Edward Jackfert Joseph L. Alexander
Joseph Ward
2003
THE CONVENTION WILL BE
AT THE HILTON HOTEL
IN
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
DATES ARE MAY 20 TO 25
RATES ARE $79.00 S/D
MAKE YOUR PLANS EARLY

DESCENDANTS GROUP
LUNCHEON
Note: All former POWs and spouses are
encouraged to attend. Also, all people
interested in learning more about persons
that were POWs of the Japanese during
World War II are encouraged to attend.
This luncheon is intended to give descendants
of POWs the opportunity to meet
each other and to meet former POWs.
Most of these descendants have a father,
grandfather or uncle that was a POW and
did not survive. We are striving to learn
more about the time and experiences of
our relatives as POWs.
Date/Time: Friday, May 23, 2003 at
12:00 noon
Place: Albuquerque Hilton
Menu: New Mexican Buffet — The buffet
selections will be arranged so that each
person can make his/her food as mild or
spicy as desired.
Speaker: Andy Miller, ADBC Historian
and Past National Commander
Cost: $23.50 per person
Reservations: Please contact John Lewis
by any of the following means to make
reservations. Send payment by check at
the street address. Early payment will
be appreciated.
E-mail: redlegs6@houston.rr.com
Telephone: 713-466-3102
Street Address:
John B. Lewis
16415 Jersey Drive
Jersey Village, TX 77040-2021
————————
NATIONAL WWII
MEMORIAL DEDICATION
For those of you who might want to plan
ahead — way ahead — you will want to
consider a trip to Washington, DC in late
May 2004 for the long planned and now
scheduled, dedication to the National
WWII Memorial. The dedication ceremony
is scheduled over the Memorial Day weekend
with the dedication itself, Saturday,
May 29, 2004. The ADBC convention will
be earlier in May at Orlando, Florida from
May 5-9.
For those of you who want to vacation
on the southeast coast, there will be ample
time to amble up the coast north after the
Orlando convention and still make it to
the Washington, DC celebration. For
others, you may want to make a double
trip.
It is anticipated that the ceremonies
scheduled for the WWII Memorial dedication
will include wreath laying. ADBC
could expect to participate though these
ceremonies and perhaps other events are
yet to be determined.
Duane Heisinger
HELP
I have been in contact with members of
the ADBC website since August 2002 concerning
information about my uncle,
Major Miller P. Warren, Jr., that served
and died in the Philippines during WWII.
I have learned so much about my uncle’s
experiences through the contacts listed on
the ADBC website.
My Uncle, Major Miller P. Warren, Jr.,
U.S. Army, 0-019280 was an USMA
Graduate, Class of 1933. He entered the
service from Midlothian, Texas. After graduation
from West Point Academy, he was
stationed in San Antonio, Texas where he
served as a Captan in the 57th Infantry
Regiment, Philippine Scouts. In 1940 he
transferred to Fort McKinley, Philippines
where he served as a Company Commander
of an Infantry Company of the Philippine
Scouts. In August 1941 he was assigned to
the 21st Philippine Army Division as a
Senior Instructor to prepare for the coming
war.
Miller’s first combat began on December
8, 1941 in the defense of the Philippines
against the Japanese invasion at Linguyan
Gulf and ended with the U.S. surrender of
troops at Bataan. Miller was held from
April 9, 1942 to January 9, 1945 as a
Japanese POW. He survived the Bataan
Death March and Japanese POW Camps in
the Philippines. (I do not know the POW
camps where he was held.) He died on
January 9, 1945 on the Hellship, ENOURA
MARU* while being transported to Japan.
His name appears on the Tablets of the
Missing at Manila American Cemetery in
the Philippines which states his final
status as “Missing in Action or Buried at
Sea”. However, an eye-witness account
stated that he was buried on a beach in
Takao Harbor, Formosa. Miller’s combat
awards include the Silver Star, Bronze
Star, and Purple Heart.
*Notes from ADBC website contacts:
The Oryoku Maru left Manila
on December 14, 1944, with 1619
American POWs packed in the holds.
U.S. Navy planes from the “Hornet”
attacked, causing the Hell Ship to
sink the following day. POWs (286)
were killed or shot in the water by the
Japanese as they tried to escape. The
survivors were loaded on the
ENOURA MARU and the Brazil
Maru, two other Japanese freighters.
The ENOURA MARU took a direct
hit by a U.S. Navy bomber, killing
over half of the 500 POWs; the survivors
were put aboard the Brazil
Maru and they arrived in Moji, Japan
on January 29, 1945. Only about 400
of the original 1619 were still alive.
The ENOURA MARU was sunk in
Takao Harbor on January 9, 1945, by
U.S. Navy aircraft from the USS
Hornet.
The majority of the above mentioned
information about Miller P. Warren, Jr.
was given to me through written correspondence
with Royal R. Reynolds, Jr.,
Brig. General USA, 1521 23rd South
Road, Arlington, VA 22202-1526. Royal
and Miller were classmates of the class of
1933 at West Point Military Academy.
In an effort to find more information
about Miller’s experience, I corresponded
via e-mail with J.E. Olson and bought
three books from him, and also numerous
books from other authors relating to the
Pacific WWII Campaign. I have learned
much from the books, but Miller was not
mentioned except as a Captain in the
Philippine Scouts and shown in one of J.E.
Olson’s books in a group picture taken in
June 1941. I remain in search for records
that will document the POW camps that
Miller was held in from April 1942 to
December 1944. Thus far, I have not been
successful in finding this information.
Stuart Pryor’s uncle:
Miller P. Warren, Jr.
Major, U.S. Army,
West Point Graduate, 1933
0-019280, 57th Infantry Regiment,
Philippine Scouts
Entered the Service from:
Midlothian, Texas
Died:
January 9, 1945; Missing in Action or
Buried at Sea as stated on the Tablets
of the Missing at Manila American
Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Combat Awards:
Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Sincerely,
Stuart Pryor
6617 Co. Rd. 206
Grandview, Texas 76050
Home phone: 817-866-2282
Work phone: 972-723-7211
E-mail: grace@hpnc.com
————————
2003 REUNION NOTICE
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
WHEN: July 31-August 4
WHO: All Hands who served in the
U.S. Navy PT Boat Squadrons,
Bases, Tenders, Supply, Com -
munications, FEMU, medical or
were in any way connected with
WWII PT Boat operations, family
and friends.
Complete information may be obtained
from P.T. Tenders, Boats and Bases, P.O.
Box 38070, Germantown, TN 38183-0070,
Telephone 901-755-8440; Fax 901-751-0522.
E-mail: ptboats@pop.net
Sincerely,
PT Tenders, Boats and Bases
Alyce N. Guthrie
Executive Vice President
MARCH/APRIL, 2003 — 3

4 — THE QUAN
NEIL P. IOVINO
GUNNERY SERGEANT — UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Neil P. Iovino, a restless and adventurous youth, enlisted in the United States
Marine Corps early December, 1939. After only one month of boot camp at the San
Diego Marine Base, Neil, craving action, volunteered and was sent to Shanghai, China
where he became a member of the Fourth Marines, distinguished for their remarkable
record in Asiatic Duty. Main work of the Fourth Marines was protecting the lives and
property of Americans in the American sector, some 25,000 of whom were in Shanghai.
After two years in Shanghai, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered the Marines
to evacuate all Americans from Shanghai to the United States.
Two weeks later the fourth Marines left Shanghai landing at Olongapo Naval Base,
Philippine Islands. Just one week later the Japanese made a surprise attack on Pearl
Harbor which started World War II. The Fourth Marines, along with Army and Navy
troops were immediately projected into defending the Philippine Islands.
Neil Iovino was the first to be wounded in the defense of Olongapo Navy Base
which was under constant aerial bombardment. Neil claims that his rifle saved his life
as shrapnel struck the stock of his gun, he was hit in the abdomen. Women and children
were killed in their homes as the area was under heavy attack. Riverside Cabaret was
converted into a hospital. Neil was in critical condition and a Dr. Wade, Navy
Commander attached to the Fourth Marines, performed an appendectomy — the
operation was considered a “miracle” in the saving of Neil Iovino’s life.
Before his wounds were healed, Neil’s unit was captured by the Japanese Army.
This was on Bataan and Neil was forced, with his comrades, to march in what became
known as “The Death March of Bataan” — as there was no transportation — the men
were forced, constantly prodded with gun butts, to march. Neil made only the first ten
miles, and then only with the aid of some of his buddies. The most seriously wounded,
such as Neil Iovino, were tossed onto trucks, piled atop one another, and taken to a
railroad terminal where they were herded into box cars and sent to Bilibid Prison Camp
in Manila. Neil was at Bilibid for over one year. His injured body did not respond to
healing due to lack of medical attention and he was in a severely weakened condition.
Despite his condition, he was reported as being the chief morale builder throughout the
camp, as he trudged around, often times on his hands and knees, whispering, “OK
fellows, keep up the courage, we’ll be rescued soon and then we will let this b_____ have
it” … his condition grew steadily worse and he was again operated upon by a fellow
prisoner, a surgeon, Dr. Daniel Boone, a Navy Commander. Due to his condition, Neil
was left behind when the majority of his fellow prisoners were taken to Japan where
they experienced a frightfully cold winter causing many to die.
Neil next found himself in Cabanatuan Prison Camp, where he continued his “pep”
talks, the Jap guards figuring that he was about to die, allowed him to run around the
prison yard. His condition steadily grew worse, two more operations followed, the
doctors marveling that he “pulled through.”
With it all, despite the severe conditions, starvation, rice diet with little more, for a
three year period. Neil kept his “cool” still fervently believing that rescue was near at
hand. The food, of the lowest and contaminated quality, caused vitamin deficiency causing
beriberi, dysentery and palagra. Add to this the huge mosquitoes carrying and
spreading malaria. Despite his injuries and illnesses, Neil never shirked when he was
sent on a work detail. It was at Nicholas Air Field where Neil Iovino was loading and
pushing a truck when suddenly he keeled over, his hip had actually collapsed — he was
shunted to Cabanatuan. Neil considers this move his luckiest break, for shortly
thereafter, in the dead of night, the Sixth Rangers of the U.S. Army led by Colonel
Mucchi, with the air of Philippine guerrillas, made a surprise attack on Camp
Cabanatuan killing the Japanese guards. The upshot was that Neil P. Iovino and many
of his fellow soldiers, were returned to the United States and proper hospital treatment
followed.
Word had trickled through to Washington, word from officers and men, of the
Fourth Marines, about Neil P. Iovino’s steadfast encouragement of all, how he, despite
his own severe injuries, helped nurse other casualties, but was “everlastingly” providing
his companions, men and officers alike, with encouragement. It was a year later, when
our grateful government bestowed upon Neil P. Iovino, the honor, second only to the
Congressional Medal of Honor, the Silver Star. Neil modestly stated that he kept
himself enthused, by enthusing others, that among his many decorations and medals,
he valued most, the Purple Heart with its Gold Star.
Back in the “good old U.S.A.” after a brief stay in three hospitals, Neil was “ready
for action” — he, along with three other Marines, was contacted by RKO and engaged
for promotional activities in conjunction with the picture BACK TO BATAAN in which
the DEATH MARCH OF BATAAN was featured. The picture’s ending was the release of
the prisoners from Cabanatuan Prison Camp. RKO engaged these young men as
representative of the U.S. Marine Corps, and their chief function was to appear in the
Continued on Page 5
NAVY, MARINE CORPS OFFER
POWS A STEP UP
Until last November, only the Army
granted all prisoners of war a one-grade
promotion, retroactive to the day they
were captured. The Navy and Marine
Corps are falling into step, but with a
catch: former prisoners or their surviving
spouses must apply to receive any back
pay they are due.
The change came as part of the 2001
Defense Authorization Act, but Navy and
Marine officials now are actively seeking
eligible recipients. According to the guidelines,
any former Marine or Navy POW
from 1941 to 1946, or their surviving
spouses, can apply for the pay.
POW advocacy groups such as the
American Ex-Prisoners of War estimate
that up to 44,000 former World War II
POWs are living in the United States and
abroad. About 40 percent of the Americans
held prisoner in the past five conflicts still
are alive, according to the group’s search
of records.
More than 140,000 Americans were
captured and held during World War I,
World War II, the Korean War, the
Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and
the Somalia and Kosovo conflicts. Of that
number, an estimated 49,000 still are
alive, including one from World War I,
44,000 from World War II, 2,600 from the
Korean War, 600 from the Vietnam War,
23 from the Gulf War, one from Somalia
and three from the Kosovo conflict.
Congress officially has defined a prisoner
of war as “a person who, while serving on
active duty, was forcibly detained by an
enemy government or a hostile force during
a period of war or in situations comparable
to war.”
A number of other pending measures
also seek retroactive compensation for
former prisoners of war, advocacy officials
said. They include the POW Benefits Act
of 2002 and the Former Prisoners of War
Special Compensation Act of 2002, which
are being reintroduced in Congress early
this year.
Where to Apply
Former Navy prisoners of war:
Cmdr. John DeNicola
Bureau of Naval Personnel,
Retired Activities Branch — PERS-62
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055
Former Marine Corps prisoners of war:
Maj. Jeff Sokoly
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
2 Navy Annex, RFL-F7
Washington, DC 20380-1775

NEIL P. IOVINO Continued from Page 4
towns where the picture was being shown; they appeared in defense plants appealing
for more production of the greatly needed war materials.
It was at this time when Les Lear, director of the U.S. Treasury Special Events
Division, met Neil P. Iovino. It was at Chicago’s Palace Theatre. Several outstanding
heroes appeared in conjunction with the showing of the picture — each was outstanding.
Neil Iovino particularly so, so much that at the conclusion of the promotional trip for
RKO, Neil Iovino made a large number of appearances in behalf of the war effort
throughout Chicagoland. This was mainly in the sale of War Bonds and with the War
Manpower Commission in encouraging a greater production of the part of workers in
defense plants. Neil’s appearances always resulted in a record number of bond sales and
heavily increased production in the defense plants.
Along about this time, the three boys who had raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi,
Volcano Island, Iwo Jima, were assigned to Les Lear, at the U.S. Treasury headquarters
in Chicago — John H. Bradley, Ph. Mate 2nd Class; Ira Hayes, PFC U.S. Marine Corps
and PFC Rene A. Gagnon.
Neil Iovino appeared on several occasions with the three boys, Bradley, Hayes and
Gagnon, at War Bond Rallies and in defense plants and the sale of War Bonds was
tremendous; the spur in war production, too, was at record highs.
I repeat, said Neil P. Iovino, that I am proud of all my decorations and medals, the
many honors heaped upon me, but I am most proud of my Purple Heart; it gave me the
opportunity to be with my buddies, the opportunity to counsel with many of them and
console them when the outlook was the bleakest.
————————
THE CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
“Life Clings to the Planet”
I write this issue on a Sunday evening in our apartment in the small French city of
Dinard. As usual, I am serving as temporary pastor to an English-speaking congregation
and our worship has been concluded for the day. We are in Brittany, which is a
Province adjacent to Normandy, the scene of the Allied invasion on D-day, June 6, 1944.
I hope that we will be able to drive over to Omaha Beach to honor those who fought and
died there. We leased an auto for our month over here, hoping to take more advantage of
our free time over here.
This being February, we are experiencing a cold, windy and wet climate, which is a
shock for us Floridians. Often a snow or sleet storm briefly blows in off the English
Channel and we regain our respect for the fishermen who sail into Dinard’s harbor,
some of whom have just brought a fresh catch of cod all the way from Newfoundland! A
hardy bunch! I would include all sorts of sailors in that compliment.
I realize how easy it is for me to be a Christian when the weather is friendly and
conducive to worshiping. And I am reminded that in former days in these colder
climates men and women have had to work very hard just to grow food enough to
sustain them. Humankind has learned how to sustain itself against great odds. Life
really does cling to the planet Earth, sometimes against great odds. Flowers are
budding even when covered with ice or snow and when buffeted by gale force winds. It
appears to me that, the harder it is to eke out an existence, the more life is appreciated.
The French surely love life.
The same thing can be said about being a Christian, a Jew, or believer in other
religions. Their faiths have flourished under persecutions or other adversity; people
have had to defend their faith or else abandon it.
As the shadow of impending war falls across the world we will do well to brace
ourselves for life to become more precarious and, therefore, more to be appreciated. We
pray that America, as a nation, does the honorable things and that the planet again
becomes a safer, more hospitable place for life to cling.
We ask God’s guidance on the President of the United States and on all in authority,
that they be given wisdom and strength to know and to do Thy will in the coming trying
times. Let us trust that God will work in His mysterious ways to lead us in the ways of
justice and truth.
May we not be found waiting for courage in this time of trial.
In His service,
Fr. Bob Phillips+ SSC
National Chaplain and Web Site Chairman
American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc.
THEY STOOD THE TEST
Their time was passed in living hell
they had no food to eat
no medicine or bandages,
no shoes upon their feet
they had no mail from family
no chance for freedom dear
only the guarantee of death
which hovered ever near.
With nothing to be counted on
save courage in their heart
no vict’ry dance and no parade
would ever play a part
with captors brutal all around
and one breath at a time
they left their stamp on history
with bravery sublime.
And though their story can’t be told
in just a verse or two
each sacrifice they made, in truth,
will shine in hist’ry’s view
the prisoners of the Japanese
with lives so hard and bleak
do not require the written word:
their actions for them speak
Dedicated humbly with respect to
Senor Paul Sandoval from Mike
Jones on Veteran’s Day, November 11,
2002.
————————
VALOR TOURS, LTD.
Dear Joe,
Please tell your many friends among the
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor that
their deeds are not forgotten.
Many sons, daughters and grand -
children of the Defenders will visit Bataan
in April to hike the old Death March trail
in their memory. Each group member will
receive the book “Ghost Soldiers” signed
by author Hampton Sides.
Seats for our tour members will be
reserved at the April 9th Araw ng
Kagitingan ceremony on Mt. Samat, after
which they will unveil a memorial to the
Nurse Corps at the Jungle Hospital site.
Members of the party may walk as
much — or as little — of the Death March
trail as they wish and can take a rest in
our van following the marchers.
Kilometer markers are available for
sponsorship by relatives of those men who
participated in the March.
In May, a group of energetic historians
will hike the trails on Corregidor and
attend a special commemorative event at
the Altar of Valor, Topside, on May 6th.
To receive a brochure describing the
“Ghost Soldiers of Bataan” tour departing
April 4th and the “Hiking the Hallowed
Trails of Corregidor” leaving on May 3rd,
2003, please call toll free 800-842-4504.
Another tour entitled “Liberation of the
Philippines” featuring the Leyte Landings
departs on October 16th, 2003.
Yours sincerely,
Robert F. Reynolds
MARCH/APRIL, 2003 — 5

FRANCIS W. AGNES
Francis W. Agnes, USAF Captain
(Retired) of Everett, Washington, passed
away February 9, 2003. He was born April
28, 1922 at Haynes, North Dakota. He
was 80 years old. Services with full military
honors were held at Generational
Hope Christian Center, 26060 SE 216th
Street, Maple Valley at 11:00 a.m. on
Friday, February 14, 2003. Interment, following
the reception, was at Tahoma
National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th
Street, Kent, Washington.
Francis was an aircraft mechanic with
the squadron. He worked on P-26’s, P-35’s,
and P-40’s. He was with the unit on
December 8, 1941 when the Japanese
bombed and strafed Clark Field, destroying
everything in their path. He fought with
the infantry back to Bataan, survived the
Death March and subsequent internment
at Camps O’Donnell and Cabanatuan.
While at Camp Cabanatuan he worked
mostly on the hospital side of the camp.
He also worked kitchen detail and when
he was well enough he was on wood cutting
details. From Cabanatuan he was
transported on the hell ship Oka Maru to
Hiro-Hata, Japan where he was used as
slave labor anywhere needed. His labor
included working in the steel mills,
unloading ships and working in the coal
yards.
After his liberation in 1945, Francis
became active in numerous veterans organizations.
In 1990 and 1991 he was the
National Commander of American
Ex-POWs.
After retirement, Fran worked for the
good of the veterans establishing a Color
Guard for vets funerals, as well as helping
them to receive just compensation for
their disabilities.
6 — THE QUAN
————————
ROBERT O. ARTHUR
Robert O. Arthur, USMC (Ret.), 84, died
Saturday, January 18, succumbing to congestive
heart failure and complications of
diabetes at his home.
A long-time Newport Beach resident,
Arthur enlisted in the Marine Corps in
May of 1938. He became an enlisted pilot
after flight training at Pensacola, Florida.
Arthur was assigned to Marine fighting
squadron VMF-211, stationed at Ewa,
Hawaii, when the twelve Grumman F4F
Wildcats of the squadron were sent from
Hawaii to reinforce Wake Island, arriving
on December 4, 1941. He participated in
the gallant defense of Wake Island in the
weeks following the attack on Pearl
Harbor. Severely wounded in his left wrist
in the early days of the fighting, Arthur
continued to fly sorties against the attacking
Japanese forces with his bandaged left
hand tied to his aircraft’s throttle. After
all the Marine aircraft were lost or out of
action, Arthur joined the infantry on the
beaches and fought the Japanese landing
parties with a borrowed pistol until the
island was overwhelmed by superior
forces on December 23, 1941. For his conduct
in the defense of the island, Arthur
was awarded the Navy Cross.
He was one of about 300 Marines from
Wake Island incarcerated in Japan as a
prisoner of war for the remainder of the
conflict.
After repatriation in 1945, Arthur married
Claire Ann Whitton on June 8, 1946.
Arthur served thirty years in the Corps.
Originally enlisting as a private in 1938,
he passed through all the enlisted and
warrant grades, was commissioned in
1960, and retired from the Corps as a
major in 1968.
As a second career upon retirement
from the USMC, Arthur worked for the
Automobile Club of Southern California.
He is survived by his wife, Claire Ann;
two daughters, Victoria Arthur and Pamela
Arthur Harris; and two grandchildren.
A date is being set for a memorial
service at Arlington National Cemetery.
————————
DANIEL J. BORODIN
Daniel J. Borodin was born in Siberia,
Russia in 1920. He and his family fled to
China to escape the Communist regime.
Dan earned his Engineering degree from
the Far Eastern University in Manila,
Philippines. While in the Philippines, he
volunteered to join the U.S. Armed Forces
and fought against the Japanese in the
Pacific. Fighting against overwhelming
odds and cut-off from supplies and reinforcements,
they bought 100 crucial days
for the allies. He was forced to march in
the Bataan Death March and was one of
only a few of his company to survive. Dan
persevered through 3 years in Japanese
prison camps in the Philippine Islands
and Japan.
In October 1945, Dan was liberated
from the prison camp. He spent 3 years
helping rebuild the Philippines after the
war and then came to the United States.
Dan was a professional engineer, licensed
in the state of Michigan. He was able to
create his own company, U.S. Automation
Co., while working for Wagner Brothers
Engineering. He met his current business
partner, Jack Campbell, while there.
USACO did contract engineering and
robotic design for various companies.
USACO has been awarded five National
Science Foundation Grants and a grant
from the Department of Defense for its
innovative steel technology.
He was a Charter member of the
Michigan Inventors Council. He was
active at the Businessmen’s Breakfast at
the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. He
was a member of the Engineering Society
of Detroit, the American Ordinance
Association, and the Wire Association
International. He was a Charter member
of the Robot Institute of America and a
lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by his second wife,
Helen; daughter, Julie (from his first marriage);
and his stepson David.
————————
JOHN R. BREEZE
No services are to be held at this time
for John R. Breeze, 84, of El Centro, who
died in Pioneers Memorial Hospital in
Brawley.
Burial was private in Fort Rosecrans
National Cemetery in Point Loma.
Mr. Breeze was born June 9, 1918, in
Pocatello, Idaho.
He was a veteran of World War II and
the Korean War and retired as a major
from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958,
having risen through the ranks. Mr.
Breeze earned the Silver Star, Purple
Heart, the U.S. Treasury Lifesaving
Medal and over 40 combat ribbons.
He fought in Bataan and Corregidor
and spent three and a half years as a
prisoner of war in Japan.
While in captivity, Mr. Breeze was
credited with saving the lives of many of
his co-prisoners.
After retirement from the Marine
Corps, he worked as an aerospace
engineer, working on the Atlas missile
project and serving as a pioneer in the
development of stealth technology.
He was preceded in death by sister,
Virginia Fancuillo.
Survivors include his son, Robert A.
Breeze; son and daughter-in-law, John W.
and Joann Breeze; former wife, Galina
“Lee” Breeze; brother and sister-in-law,
Matt and Anna Breeze; and sisters, Vivian
Dodge and Ellen Olive.
————————
DAVID CHAVEZ
David Chavez, 86, a lifelong resident of
Alameda, NM, passed away peacefully in
the presence of his loving family on
February 16, 2003.
He was an avid fisherman, hunter,
farmer, sheepherder, and wine maker.
David was a self-educated man, creative
thinker, talented artist, and lover of
nature, life, and animals. He valued education,
hard work and learning and
instilled these values in his children. He
would often say, “It’s better to work with
your head than your hands”, “An education
is something that can never be taken
away from you”, or “You can achieve anything
you want if you work hard enough.”
David retired after 37 years as a
Supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service. He
is a survivor of the Bataan Death March,
Ex-Prisoner of War, and highly decorated
soldier for his bravery and heroism in
World War II. His numerous military
awards included the Bronze Star, Purple
Heart, and Presidential Citation.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years,
Libby Chavez; preceded in death by siblings
Annie Sena, Lucy Salas, Clory

Martinez, Frank Solomon, Max and
Richard Chavez; surviving siblings,
Vivian, Nester, Charlotte, and Eulialin
Chavez, Rosemary Serda, Irene Cortez,
Marcelia Martinez, Sophie Gonzales,
Rachael Atencio, and Dolores Jaramillo;
seven children, Max, Marilyn, Janice,
Therese, Jerry, Dave and Carmen; his
deceased son, David Vincent, was born on
February 16, 1955, exactly 48 years before
his father’s death. His grandchildren
include Elaine, Sabrina, James, Joseph,
Denise, Jerome, Ana, David, Shannon,
Jaoquin, Elizabeth, Felicia, Gabriela,
Phillip, Adriana, Jesse, Patrick and Mia;
and six great-grandchildren.
David was a member of the American
Ex-POWs, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Disabled American Veterans, American
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and
Military Order of the Purple Heart.
David will be missed for his endless
devotion to his family, his selfless acts of
kindness, his honorable contributions to
his country and his inspirational words
and wisdom. The viewing was held on
Wednesday, February 19, 2003. The
Rosary was recited at the Blessed Virgin
Mary Catholic Church. The funeral service
was held on Thursday, February 20,
also at the church. Special thanks for the
loving care provided by Camico Vista
Manor Care for the last year.
————————
SALLIE FARMER
Army nurse Sallie Farmer knew she
had been captured when she saw the
Japanese soldier standing in the entrance
of the tunnel used as a makeshift hospital.
He was wearing an asbestos suit and
aiming a flamethrower.
“She knew then that if anyone moved,
they were dead,” recalled Warren Motts,
director of Motts Military Museum in
Groveport.
Farmer, who survived two years as a
prisoner of war while tending to the
injured in the prison camp, died recently.
She was 88.
“She was a wonderful person, and she
sure had a strong constitution,” Motts
said.
Some of Farmer’s equipment is on display
at the museum, including a gas mask
that she used to hide jewelry during her
captivity.
Farmer was born in Louisville, Ky., and
graduated from J.M. Atherton High
School in 1932. She graduated from nursing
school three years later and joined the
nurse corps in 1937.
She met 2nd Lt. Jerry Brunnette at a
base in Kansas, and they became engaged.
When Brunnette was ordered to the South
Pacific, she asked to go to the same theater.
In 1942, after tending to the injured at
Clark Field in the Philippines, Farmer
nursed injured servicemen at Bataan,
where she helped them onto a waiting
hospital ship. Later that year, she was
transferred to a makeshift hospital in a
tunnel at Corregidor, where she was
captured by the Japanese.
Her fiance also was captured and survived
the Bataan Death March — only to
die when his prison ship was torpedoed by
a U.S. submarine.
Speaking with The Dispatch in 1988,
Farmer described life as a POW.
“There were 20 people to a room. The
food consisted mostly of rice, soybean meal
and vegetables we grew in a community
garden,” she said.
“There were about 600 senior citizens
and 600 children who were American
citizens.
“We were living on 900 calories a day.
Many of the older people died. There was
beriberi, malnutrition and malaria.”
The medals she received included the
Bronze Star, the Distinguished Unit
Badge with Two Clusters, the American
Campaign Medal, and the Philippine
Defense Medal.
After the war, Farmer settled in central
Ohio and married Joseph Farmer, a
reporter for the Catholic Register news -
paper. In 1964, she took a nursing job in
the burn unit at Children’s Hospital. She
retired in 1980.
In 1994 Farmer was inducted into the
Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
“She was a private person — she never
talked a lot about her experiences until
the late ’60s,” recalled her son, Joe
Farmer. “She was a wonderful mom — we
will miss her.”
Farmer is survived by her husband,
Joseph A. Farmer; two sons, Hugh Farmer
and Joe Farmer; and three daughters,
Mary Rogers, Sallie Messerly and
Stephanie Van Horn.
————————
CLARENCE L. KINSER
HAMPTON — Clarence L. Kinser, 82, a
survivor of the Bataan Death March, died
Friday, December 27, 2002, at his home.
He was born in Norton, Va., on June 2,
1920, and had lived in Hampton for the
past 37 years.
Mr. Kinser joined the United States
Army in 1939, serving in the Air Corps
and later transferred to the United States
Air Force. He served in the military during
World War II and was held as a
Prisoner of War by the Japanese for 42
months. Mr. Kinser also survived the
Bataan Death March, a forced march of
about 65 miles to prison camps, which
took place in the Philippines in April
1942. Many of the prisoners on this march
died of disease or mistreatment.
Mr. Kinser retired from the Air Force in
1969, with the rank of senior master
sergeant. Mr. Kinser was a member of the
American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc.,
James L. Hale Chapter, and was also a
member of the American Legion, Post
0031, Hampton. He was of the Protestant
faith.
Mr. Kinser was preceded in death by his
parents, William B. and Virgie Walden
Kinser; two brothers, James “Jim” Kinser
and Ray Kinser; and a half-brother,
William Kinser.
Survivors include his wife, Doris
Lunsford Kinser of Hampton; two daughters,
Patricia Kinser and Amy Littleton;
two sons, William Kinser and Michael
Kinser; seven grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gladys
Stewart and Lois Farmer; several nieces
and nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held at noon on
Monday, December 30, at the Carty
Funeral Home Chapel by Ray Jones.
Interment was in Highland Cemetery,
Norton, Va.
————————
BRYCE LILLY
McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE —
McChord Air Force Base’s favorite singing
voice was silenced early on October 14,
2002.
Army Air Corps Master Sgt. Bryce Lilly
of Kenmore passed away shortly after 2
a.m. at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland.
He was 82 years old.
Lilly was born July 14, 1920, in Bridge -
port. He was a survivor of the infamous
Bataan Death March and a horrifying
three years as a prisoner of war in a
Japanese slave-labor prison camp.
Lilly was a regular fixture at McChord,
singing patriotic songs for a host of military
functions. He proudly and perfectly
wore his World War II Eisenhower-style,
brown service coat when he sang any of
his favorite songs.
After returning from the war, Lilly graduated
from the University of Washing ton
and made a career in real estate, selling
property in the San Juan Islands.
Lilly’s World War II story of survival
was the first feature story produced for
KOMO-TV’s “Dog Tag” series that aired
on Veteran’s Day in 1998. On Memorial
Day 2000, the Seattle Mariners invited
Lilly, a professional baseball player before
World War II, to throw out the first pitch
of the baseball game against the Chicago
White Sox.
A school favorite, Lilly was a soughtafter
inspirational speaker during
Veterans Day and Memorial Day activities
in middle schools, high schools and
colleges across the Puget Sound area.
Lilly is survived by his wife, Virginia;
four children; 10 grandchildren; and one
great-grandchild.
MARCH/APRIL, 2003 — 7

WILLIAM PADEN MACK
William Paden Mack, a retired vice
admiral and former superintendent of the
Naval Academy, who had a prolific career
writing books about life at sea, died of
cerebral vascular disease at his home in
Annapolis, Md. He was 87.
As a young naval officer, he served
aboard a destroyer that escaped the
Japanese bombing of Manila Harbor during
World War II. He later saw action in
the East Indies and Aleutians; he also
served during the Korean and Vietnam
wars.
Mr. Mack spent his career at sea mainly
aboard destroyers, but he also had extensive
experience aboard cruisers, battleships
and amphibious ships. Among his
awards and decorations were three
Distinguished Service Medals.
He spent three years as superintendent
of the Naval Academy, helping prepare
the school for the admission of women
that occurred a short time later.
After he retired from the academy in
1975, he spent the next quarter-century
pursuing his love of writing, completing 12
works of fiction. His first novel, “South to
Java,” was based on his experience as a
gunnery officer aboard the destroyer John
D. Ford, which slipped out of Manila
Harbor between attacks and later engaged
the Japanese around Java and Borneo
before retreating to Australia.
Mr. Mack was born in Hillsboro, Ill. He
entered the Naval Academy in 1933 and
graduated in 1937.
8 — THE QUAN
————————
ADAM M. McCROSKEY
Adam M. McCroskey died November 26,
2002. He was a member of the Muskogee,
Ok. chapter of Ex-POWs.
He received honors at Ft. Gibson
Cemetery November 29, 2002.
Adam was a medic at the 5th Air Base,
Philippines. He was also at Bilibid and
Cabanatuan camps.
He will be missed by family and all.
————————
CHESTER McKENNA
Chester Royal McKenna, 85, of Port
Orchard, died January 8, 2003, of a heart
attack at Naval Hospital Bremerton.
He was born May 9, 1917, in Rexburg,
Idaho, to Royal Benjamin and Olive
(Zitting) McKenna. He graduated from
Rexburg High School in 1938.
He married Doris Angel Tanghe on
September 17, 1949, in St. Boniface,
Manitoba, Canada.
Mr. McKenna served in the Marine
Corps from 1939 to 1959, achieving the
rank of gunnery sergeant and receiving
the Prisoner of War Medal and the Purple
Heart. He was captured by the Japanese
in the Philippines and held as a POW for
3 1 ⁄2 years.
He went on to work as a storekeeper at
the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil
for 20 years, retiring in 1978.
Following is retirement, Mr. McKenna
spent his time working around his home
and crafting ceramics. He especially
enjoyed the company of his dogs, Tippie, a
Chihuahua, and Teddy, a Pomeranian.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years;
one son, Wayne S. McKenna and his wife,
Elsie; two brothers, Samuel McKenna and
Ervin McKenna; and one sister, Eileen
LaPray.
————————
HARVEY N. MICHAEL
Harvey N. Michael, 81, of Utica passed
away Thursday, December 19, 2002.
He was born on February 5, 1921 in
Little Falls, New York.
Harvey enlisted in the United States
Army Signal Corps on May 1, 1941. He
was then sent to Ft. Monmouth, NJ, for
training with E Co., 4th Signal Training
Battalion. Harvey was then assigned to
the Signal Co., Aircraft Warning,
Philippine Department at Ft. Monmouth,
NJ on June 16, 1941. He sailed from Ft.
Mason, CA aboard the SS President
Coolidge on July 15, 1941. On August 1,
1941 he arrived at Manila, PI and was
sent to Ft. William McKinley. His unit
was then sent into Bataan on December
25, 1941 and attached to the 5th
Interceptor Command. He was part of the
5th Interceptor Combat Team which
relieved A. Co., 803rd Engineers at
Quinuan Point and Agloloma Bay on
January 26, 1942. He remained in action
there against the Japanese until U.S.
occupation on February 8, 1942. Harvey
was captured near Mariveles, Bataan on
April 9, 1942 and the Bataan Death
March followed. He was imprisoned at
Camp O’Donnell, Talac P.I. on April 24,
1942, Camp No. 1, Cabanatuan, Nueva
Ecija, P.I. June 2, 1942, SS Nissyo Maru
for transport to Japan on July 17, 1944,
Camp No. 23, Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan,
August 5, 1944. Harvey was liberated by
U.S. Army Repatriation Team at Camp
No. 23 on September 19, 1945. He then
sailed from Manila, P.I. aboard the MS
Klipfontein on October 9, 1945 and landed
at Seattle, WA and was sent to Madigan
General Hospital at Ft. Lewis, WA on
October 28, 1945. He was transferred to
Rhoades Hospital, Utica on November 6,
1945 and was honorably discharged as a
staff sergeant from Fort Dix, NJ on June
8, 1946.
On August 8, 1948 Harvey married
Jane Frances Ryan in Utica. She passed
away on August 29, 1992. During the
years Harvey worked, he was employed as
a printer, pressman, typographer and
paper salesman.
Surviving are two daughters and a
son-in-law, Rosanne Michael of Utica,
Carol and Joe Proscia of Auburn; a granddaughter,
Melinda Proscia of California;
one sister-in-law and a niece and nephew.
Funeral services were held Saturday,
January 4, 2003 at 12:15 from Nunn &
McGrath Funeral Directors, 470 French
Road, Utica and 1:00 from the Church of
Our Lady of Lourdes where a Memorial
Mass was celebrated.
————————
HELEN NESTOR
Helen M. (Cassiani) Nestor, a homemaker,
died Monday, November 25, 2002
at Montgomery Hospital in Norristown.
She was 85.
Mrs. Nestor, of Trooper, was a member
of Visitation B.V.M. Roman Catholic
Church in Trooper.
She was a U.S. Army veteran of World
War II, serving as a first lieutenant. She
was a POW in the Philippines.
Born January 26, 1917, in Bridgewater,
Mass., she was a daughter of the late
Peter and Sarah (Ballestracci) Cassiani.
Surviving are her husband, Edward D.
Nestor; two sons, Mark and Peter; a daughter,
Sarah Nestor; and four grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass was held at Visitation
B.V.M. Church, 196 N. Trooper Road,
Trooper.
————————
RALPH CARLO PONESS
Ralph Carlo Poness of Highland Falls, a
retired chief petty officer for the U.S.
Navy, died Wednesday, January 2, 2002
at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern. He
was 86.
The son of the late Samuel and Maria
Trepasso Poness, he was born in Fort
Montgomery, January 10, 1915. He was
the husband of the late Mary Galu Poness.
After attending local schools, Ralph
attended Clarkson College and New York
University. He joined the Navy in 1937,
and served in the South Pacific, aboard
the U.S.S. Black Hawk Destroyer, the
U.S.S. Pope and the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S.
Augusta. While serving at the U.S. Naval
Ammunition Depot, Cavite Navy Yard,
Philippine Islands, Poness was among the
valiant group of sailors and Marines who
defended the Islands against a Japanese
attack. At the outbreak of WWII, despite
holding out for six months, Poness was
part of the U.S. Forces to surrender at the
fall of Corregidor. Poness survived 3 1 ⁄2
years of hardship, brutality, and starvation.
He was released in 1945 when the
Japanese surrendered.
For his heroism he was awarded the
Purple Heart, two presidential Unit
Citations with Oak Leaf Clusters, three
Battle Stars, China Service Medal, Asiatic
Pacific and Philippine Defense Medal, and
the General MacArthur Medal of Honor
from the New York State Troopers, grant -
ing him honorary life membership. Mr.
Poness was a retired steamfitter for Post
Engineers at U.S.M.A., West Point, a lifetime
member of the V.F.W. and an
honorary member of the Highland Falls
Fire Department. In 1980, he was the

Grand Marshall for the Fourth of July
Parade in Highland Falls. His street
Laurel Lane, was officially designated
“Poness Way” by the Village of Highland
Falls.
Survivors include his sons, Ralph Poness
and his wife, Evelyn; Michael Poness, and
his wife Susan; five grandchildren, Ralph
Jr., Antoinette Marie, Jennifer, Lauren and
Matthew; and several nieces and nephews.
————————
DALE E. ROBBINS
Dale Eldon Robbins, 82, of La Grange
died of natural causes at Doctors Medical
Center, Modesto.
Mr. Robbins was a native of Norton,
Kan. He lived in La Grange 20 years. He
was a food processor and had worked for
Stokley Van Camp. He served in the
Marine Corps from 1938-45 and was a
prisoner of war during World War II. He
was a member of Disabled American
Veterans, the American Legion and the
San Joaquin Chapter of Ex-POWs. He
enjoyed boating and golfing.
He is survived by his wife, Effie M.
Robbins; children, Richard Robbins and
Luanne C. Melden; sister, Jeanne Hailey;
and one grandchild. He was preceded in
death by three brothers and three sisters.
Burial was at San Joaquin Valley
National Cemetery, Santa Nella.
————————
WILLIAM G. RUSSELL, SR.
Bill Russell was born William Gilbert
Nickerson to Clarence and Laura Mae
Nickerson in Merino, Colo., on October 20,
1919. He passed away on December 7,
2002. His mother died in childbirth when
he was 5 years old. He and two younger
brothers were placed in an orphanage in
Denver, Colo. He and a younger brother,
Earl, were adopted by Ben and Mary
Russell of La Jara, Colo., in 1925.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps where
he spent the next eight years. He had
given his friendship ring to Lucille
McClanahan before he left, and she wore
it on a chain and waited all those years.
In the latter part of October 1945, Bill
returned home on a leave after three-anda-half
years in a prisoner of war camp. He
and Lucille resumed their friendship,
which resulted in their marriage on
December 23, 1945. They were just a few
days short of celebrating their 57th wedding
anniversary when Bill passed away.
They had renewed their vows on their
50th golden anniversary. Bill taught
school in Colorado for five years before
coming to Bisbee where he taught woodshop
for 26 years.
Survivors include his wife, Lucille; two
daughters, Marilyn (Clifford) Edwards,
and Karen (Bobby) Hammett; and a son,
Bill Jr.; five grandchildren; and nine
great-grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by a son, Don, and a brother, Earl.
Services were at the Emmanuel Baptist
Church on Highway 92, on Saturday,
December 14, 2002, at 2 p.m. The Rev.
Walt Barfield officiated. Interment was in
Memory Gardens. Military honors by the
VFW Post of Bisbee took place at the
cemetery.
————————
JIM SCHOEN
Jim Schoen, age 86, died at 7:00 a.m.,
November 11, 2002 from a severe stroke
or heart attack in a Reno hospital and was
interred at the Firnly, Nevada Military
Cemetery on November 18, 2002.
Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Lou;
son, James; and daughters, Linda, Maggie
and Debie.
Mary Lou said Jim had asked the nurse
what day it was and she told him
November 11, Memorial Day and Jim
replied “this would be a good day to die”,
and he did.
Mary Lou thanks everyone for the cards
and prayers.
————————
BOB STAHL
Bob Stahl died January 21, 2003 at
11:30 a.m. He is survived by his wife,
Ruth; son, Robb and daughter, Deborah
and families.
Bob had surgery for lung cancer and
had to cancel plans to attend our last
reunion, but seemed to make a good recovery
until this last rather sudden attack
which hospitalized him on December 27,
2002.
He arrived on Mindanao on the USS
submarine Narwhal on December 15,
1943. Bob authored two books, “You’re No
Good to Me Dead” and “Fugitives: Evading
and Escaping the Japanese,” both of which
I have and enjoyed.
His family thanks all for the cards and
prayers.
————————
PATRICK N. TAYLOR
Patrick N. Taylor, 88, passed away
peacefully on Wednesday, December 25,
2002 in the home of Gary and Anna King.
Patrick was born in Buffalo, Wyoming
on March 17, 1914. He is preceded in
death by his wife, Lois, as well as many
nieces and nephews.
Pat enlisted in the Air Force in 1940
during WWII. He came to Albuquerque in
1940 where he met and later married Lois
Taylor, his wife of 55 years. Patrick
retired from the Air Force in 1960 and
spent an additional ten years in the Air
Force Reserves. He achieved the rank of
Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force
Bombardiers Ground Maintenance. He
served with General Wainwright in the
Philippines and survived the Bataan
Death March.
Patrick enjoyed telling everyone, “I’m a
U.S. Government Man.” He was proud of
his service to his country. He was an
excellent auto mechanic in the Air Force
and after. He continued working on his
car and truck within just a few months of
his death.
Special thanks to Crossroads Hospice,
whose dedicated nurses and techs allowed
Patrick to die with dignity at home.
————————
MARIO G. TONELLI
The life of Mario G. “Motts” Tonelli
reads as though it was scripted in
Hollywood.
But Tonelli, who died at 86, wasn’t a
Hollywood-type hero. He was a blue-collar,
Chicago-type hero.
Tonelli grew up the son of Italian immigrants
on the North Side and became a
star fullback at Notre Dame in the late
1930s before playing for the Chicago
Cardinals in the National Football League
in 1940.
After one season, Tonelli entered he
U.S. Army and eventually survived the
infamous Bataan Death March in World
War II and 42 months of brutal treatment
in three Japanese prison camps. His
weight dropped from 188 pounds to under
100. He suffered from malaria, dysentery,
scurvy and beriberi.
At the end of the war, while still a hospital
outpatient, Tonelli dressed at about
140 pounds for the Cardinals’ final games
in 1945. In 1946, he played for the
Chicago Rockets of the new American
Football League.
Ray Meyer, DePaul’s Hall of Fame
basketball coach and Tonelli’s longtime
friend, described him as “a real hero, not
just a guy running with a football or dunking
a basketball.”
Tony Golden, one of Tonelli’s closest
friends, described how Tonelli strove to
avoid being portrayed as a war hero or
capitalize on his celebrity status.
“A TV crew interviewed him for hours
at this year’s Michigan-Notre Dame
game,” Golden said. “It was suggested
Motts could make some money from the
show. He said, ‘I don’t want any money
out of this. I’m just doing it for these
people. I’m nobody special.’ And he took
the crew to lunch and picked up the tab.”
Meyer, 89, played sports against Tonelli
in Chicago before both of them enrolled at
Notre Dame in the mid-1930s.
“He was a ‘young guy,’ ” Meyer said.
“One year behind me in school. I gradu -
ated in 1938, Motts in 1939. He was a
good fullback. A tough kid. He didn’t talk
much. A class act. I liked him very much.”
After World War II, Meyer said, he and
Tonelli met off and on at sports events,
Notre Dame functions and at former Cubs’
catcher Gabby Hartnett’s annual birthday
parties at Maryville Academy.
“He never, ever spoke about the war,”
Meyer said. “And that story about his
Notre Dame ring is true.”
Continued on Page 10
MARCH/APRIL, 2003 — 9

TONELLI Continued from Page 9
Meyer referred to the gold graduation
ring Tonelli had made. It held a diamond,
and the words “Notre Dame” were
inscribed on its sides. Tonelli carried it off
to war.
On the first day of the seven-day 70mile
Death March in April 1942, Japanese
soldiers swept up and down the ranks,
confiscating pens, jewelry or other personal
possessions from the lines of struggling
U.S. prisoners. One captor pointed with
his bayonet at the ring on Tonelli’s finger.
“Give it to him, Motts, or he’ll kill you,”
whispered one of Tonelli’s friends.
Tonelli handed over the ring.
Moments later, a Japanese officer
confronted Tonelli. In perfect English, he
asked, “Did one of my soldiers take this
from you?” The officer pulled the ring from
his pocket.
“I went to the University of Southern
California,” the officer said. “I graduated
the same year you did. In fact, I saw the
game when you made that long run that
beat us. You were a hell of a player.”
“He gave me my ring back and wished
me good luck,” Tonelli recalled many years
later.
It would be a nice story if the captors’
respect or sportsmanship provided
humane treatment for the prisoner. But
that didn’t happen.
Tonelli endured subhuman treatment
for nearly four years as a prisoner of war.
He was not freed until after the Japanese
surrendered. One-third of the 1,875 men
forced on the Death March without food or
water died. Of 10,000 Americans taken
prisoner in the Philippines, only 4,000
returned to the United States.
Tonelli grew up on the North Side near
Chase Park in the days before the
Depression. Sports became his passion. He
played almost all of them and played them
well.
Tonelli’s parents, Celi and Lavania,
were Italian immigrants. They realized
their son earned his peers’ respect for his
performance in sports at Our Lady of
Lourdes grammar school and at DePaul
Academy. At one high school track meet,
he won the pole vault, shot put, high jump
and 440-yard dash.
Other colleges recruited him, but when
Irish football coach Elmer Layden visited
the Tonelli home with an Italian-speaking
priest, his mother helped Motts make his
decision.
Tonelli broke several long runs, including
one of 45 yards for the winning touchdown
against Georgia Tech and the 77-yard run
against USC that the Japanese officer
recalled three years later on the Bataan
Peninsula.
Tonelli enlisted in the Army in April
1941, five days after he was married.
Assigned to serve on Luzon Island in
the Philippines, Tonelli had four more
months left on his hitch when the
10 — THE QUAN
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on
December 7, 1941. Severely outnumbered,
the Americans retreated down the Bataan
Peninsula toward Corregidor Island. They
held out until April. Then, wracked by
illness and running out of food and medicine,
they surrendered.
After his football career ended, Tonelli
entered politics and was elected a Cook
County commissioner as a Republican.
Tonelli is survived by a daughter, Nancy
Reynolds. Funeral mass was celebrated at
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
————————
EUNICE HATCHITT TYLER
Eunice “Hatch” Hatchitt Tyler, age 91,
born in Prairie Lea, TX to Wallace and
Nettie Hatchitt on May 17, 1911, passed
away January 14, 2003 in San Antonio,
TX.
Born and raised in the Lockhart area,
she served in World War II as an Army
Nurse in combat in Bataan and Corregidor
in the fall of the Philippines and later in
the invasion of occupied Europe. She was
an avid golfer, an accomplished ballroom
dancer, a long-time yoga student and the
first female usher at St. Paul’s.
She was preceded in death by her
beloved husband, Charles B. Tyler, Jr.,
whom she met in the Philippines in 1940
and married in England in 1944. She is
survived by her daughter, Pattie; son and
his wife, Charlie and Gloria; grand children,
Seth, Scott, Sheila, Shawn and her greatgrandchildren,
Drew, Zana and Amber.
A Memorial Service was held at the
Army Residence Community Chapel on
Monday, January 27, 2003 at 1:30 p.m.
————————
ALFRED J. ZANGRILLO
Alfred J. Zangrillo, age 85, passed away
in his home in Boca Raton, Florida on
November 4, 2002, following a long struggle
with cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Anna, of the
family home. He is also survived by two
sons, Michael and Richard, both of New
York State and five grandchildren.
He was a WWII veteran, serving on
Bataan, in the Philippines in the early
days of the war. He was a prisoner of war
of the Japanese for nearly three years.
Burial was in the Boca Raton Mauso -
leum, with full military honors.
JOHN HENRY WOODARD
John Henry Woodard was born Septem -
ber 15, 1917 and died January 9, 2003. He
was 84 years old.
He was in the 60th C.A.C. (AA) Btry.
“F”, 2nd Battalion Corregidor, P.I., a
member of ADBC and others, a member of
the Muskogee Chapter, and American
Ex-POWs.
He received military honors at Ft. Sill
Army Post. Burial was in Checotah, Ok.
————————
WWII PHILIPPINES-TODAY
By STEPHEN T. WATSON
in the Philippines
January 29, 2003
Wright B. Molintas, 78. Died October
29, 2002 at Trinidad, Benguet (which
adjoins Baguio City), Philippines. He was
the father of Benguet Province Governor,
Raul M. Molintas.
Molintas was a WWII veteran, and was
interred at the Veterans Cemetery at
Wandal, Trinidad.
Dr. Adlofo O. Flores, 86. Died on
November 26, 2002 at Santiago City
Isabela (in north Luzon), Philippines.
Dr. Flores was a WWII veteran in the
Medical Corps as a 1st Lieutenant,
Philippine Army. He was buried on
December 4, 2002 at the Santiago
Memorial Park.
Jose Ramos, 77. Died on November 16,
2002 at Carson, CA. He was from Bulan,
Sorsan in south Luzon, Philippines.
During WWII he was a Guerrilla
Fighter and a Philippine Scout. After
being at rest at the Forest Lawn Funeral
Home at Carson, CA, he was buried on
November 21, 2002.
Dr. Jesus Lava, 88. Died at Makati,
Metro Manila, Philippines, from prostate
cancer, on January 21, 2003.
During WWII, he was involved in treating
U.S. Servicemen, and Filipino
Guerrillas. In 1938, he graduated from the
Philippine College of Medicine. Dr. Lava
was a Congressman from the Province of
Bulacan, Luzon, under the Democratic
Alliance. His remains were at the Loyola
Memorial Chapel in Makati. He was
cremated on January 25, 2003.
NURSES
It is with a saddened heart we are reporting the death of three of our faithful and
caring nurses: Sallie Farmer, Helen M. (Cassiani) Nestor and Eunice (Hatchitt) Tyler.
Our sympathy goes out to the families of all the reported deaths.

QUANS RETURNED
Bad Addresses
Louis Goldbrum
4055 Yardmouth Century Vlge.
Boca Raton, FL 33434
William Martin Keane
11 Buckfast Court
Thomasville, GA 31792-8680
Grover C. Bump, Jr.
6808 3rd Avenue S.
Richfield, MN 55423-2418
Edwin F. Lindros
P.O. Box 5305
El Monte, CA 91734-1305
John G. McFarland
1983 NW 105th Street
Miami, FL 33147-1352
George Muller
15 Summit Ave. #303 West
Spring Valley, NY 10977-7913
Antonio L. Tierra
3259 W. Olive Avenue #1 Flr.
Chicago, IL 60659-3611
Deceased
Peter J. Kirhgesner
1212 S. 75th Street
West Allis, WI 53214-3021
Joseph S. McCarthy
24 Wakefield
Daly City, CA 94015-4448
Foy E. Pribble
2233 Cheyenne Dive
Santa Rosa, CA 95405-8014
————————
ADBC WEB SITE GROWS
The ADBC Web Site continues to grow
and now contains more than 700 pages of
helpful information. You can visit our Site
by entering the following URL into your
browser: .
We invite you to visit our Site and meet
some old friends, make some new ones,
send us your biographical sketch (digital
photos welcome). Read about future
conventions, reunions and meetings; find
out how you can find help with your VA
claim; many more things. Go there for
names and addresses of all of your elected
and appointed officers. Send us your e-mail
address, etc. so we can post your name on
the Web Site.
For more information e-mail me at:
frphillips@sprintmail.com or other
Committee members:
Martin Christie:
Warren Jorgenson:
or
Don Versaw:
VETERANS’ DAY MESSAGE —
“FREEDOM IS NOT FREE”
The annual Veteran’s Day Program was
held at the St. Mary’s High School at
10:00 a.m.
Arnold Hall delivered the welcome followed
by the Posting of the Colors by the
O’Neill American Legion Post. A history of
the United States of America Flag was
delivered by Matt Willis. Ashleigh Lewis
gave a history of Veteran’s Day.
George Mumm delivered a tribute to
Madeline Ullom, a former U.S. Army
Nurse from O’Neill.
Madeline was born in O’Neill in 1911,
grew up in the area and attended St.
Mary’s Academy graduating as valedic -
torian of the class of 1930.
Madeline taught school in the O’Neill
area between 1930 and 1934. She started
her nurse’s training in September of 1934
and graduated at the top of her class in
1937 from Jefferson Medical College in
Philadelphia.
After joining the Army Nurse’s Corp. in
1938 she was assigned to Walter Reed
General Hospital in Washington, D.C. She
served there until June 1940, when she
volunteered for overseas duty in Manila
until December 1941, when she was
among the last group of medical personnel
evacuated to Corregidor.
After Pearl Harbor the Japanese Army
continued their attack and overran the
Islands of Bataan and Corregidor. Madeline
was one of over 90 nurses who were taken
prisoner on Corregidor on May 6, 1942.
Madeline was a prisoner of war of the
Japanese Army until February 3, 1945,
when the prison camp was liberated by
the U.S. Army.
Madeline was a prisoner of war for 33
months during which time she suffered
many hardships and torture at the hands
of her captures.
Madeline continued her military career
until retiring in 1964 as a Lt. Colonel. She
retired to Tucson, AZ.
Madeline passed away in Tucson on
September 26, 2001, at the age of 90. Her
body was returned to O’Neill where she
was laid to rest in the O’Neill Cemetery
with full military honors.
Mr. Mumm also related stories that
showed the effect and price that Madeline
paid for her service to her country.
One year she was asked to be the featured
speaker at the St. Mary’s Alumni
Banquet. She came to the dinner dressed
to the hilt, except she was wearing tennis
shoes. Before starting her address she told
her audience that all she would say about
her tennis shoes was that the Japanese
had done it.
During her later years on a trip to the
VA Medical Center, a friend of Madeline’s
commented that, “Old Glory sure looks
good this morning.” After some silence
Madeline spoke and said, “You don’t know
the feeling to look up there and not see it,”
referring to the time of her imprisonment
when Old Glory was taken down and the
Japanese flag was put in its place.
George closed with one of Madeline’s
favorite sayings, “Freedom Is Not Free.”
————————
DEERS — YOUR KEY
TO TRICARE BENEFITS
If you have moved recently or have had a
new addition to your family, you will want
to update that information in the Defense
Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
(DEERS). DEERS is the database that contains
information about every Department
of Defense beneficiary and the benefits to
which every beneficiary is entitled.
Any changes, big or small, can affect
your TRICARE coverage. DEERS is the
key to obtaining TRICARE benefits.
Because erroneous or outdated information
in the database can result in denial of
important benefits, you will want to make
sure information for you and your family
is kept current.
Some of the ways to update your
DEERS information are listed below:
Visit the DEERS website at
www.tricare.osd.mil/DEERSAddress
Contact DEERS directly by phone
800-538-9552, fax 831-655-8317, or by
writing DEERS Support Office, Attn:
COA, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA
93955-6771
Visit a local personnel office that has
an Uniformed Services I.D. Card
facility. To locate the nearest military
I.D. Card facility, visit www.dmdc.
osd.mil/rsl/or call 1-800-538-6552.
IT’S GETTING LATE —
COME JOIN YOUR FRIENDS AT
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.
WE NEED TO ASK THE
LOCAL PEOPLE TO TURN OUT
FOR THE CONVENTION.
SEE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING!
AND GOD FORGOT
Down the road of no return
Past the mountain of despair
Marched a band of captured warriors
And even God forgot to care.
Through the fierce and cruel jungle
Enduring more than men could bear
They did their best to help each other
For even God forgot to care.
Beset by bayonet, club and bullet
Death was all that they could share
And more than sixty summers later
Bataan stands for unanswered prayer.
The “Battling Bastards” stood alone
cause even God forgot to care.
I Care and I’ll Never Forget
Jon and Mike Jones
May 18, 2002 — All Rights Reserved
MARCH/APRIL, 2003 — 11

A GOOD
NEIGHBOR
The Good Neighbor. Widespread but
only partial news coverage was given
recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast
from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a
Canadian television commentator. What
follows is the full text of his trenchant
remarks as printed in the Congressional
Record: “This Canadian thinks it is time
to speak up for the Americans as the most
generous and possibly the least appre -
ciated people on all the earth. Germany,
Japan, and, to a lesser extent, Britain and
Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by
the Americans who poured in billions of
dollars and forgave other billions in debts.
None of these countries is today paying
even the interest on its remaining debts to
the United States. When France was in
danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the
Americans who propped it up, and their
reward was to be insulted and swindled on
the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.
When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is
the United States that hurries in to help.
This spring, 59 American communities
were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody
helped. The Marshall Plan and the
Truman policy pumped billions of dollars
into discouraged countries. Now news -
papers in those countries are writing
about the decadent, warmongering
Americans. I’d like to see just one of those
countries that is gloating over the erosion
of the United States dollar build its own
airplane. Does any country in the world
have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo
Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas
DC10? If so, why don’t they fly them? Why
do all the International lines except
Russia fly American planes? Why does no
other land on earth even consider putting
a man or woman on the moon? You talk
about Japanese technocracy, and you get
radios. You talk about German tech -
nocracy, and you get automobiles. You
talk about American technocracy, and you
find men on he moon — not once, but
several times — and safely home again.
You talk about scandals, and the
Americans put theirs right in the store
window for everybody to look at. Even
their draft-dodgers are not pursued and
hounded. They are here on our streets,
and most of them, unless they are breaking
Canadian laws, are getting American
dollars from ma and pa at home to spend
here. When the railways of France,
Germany and India were breaking down
through age, it was the Americans who
rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania
Railroad and the New York Central went
broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose.
Both are still broke. I can name you 5000
times when the Americans raced to the
help of other people in trouble. Can you
name me even one time when someone
else raced to the Americans in trouble? I
12 — THE QUAN
AMERICAN DEFENDERS OF
BATAAN & CORREGIDOR, INC.
don’t think there was outside help even
during the San Francisco earthquake. Our
neighbors have faced it alone, and I’m one
Canadian who is damned tired of hearing
them get kicked around. They will come
out of this thing with their flag high. And
when they do, they are entitled to thumb
their nose at the lands that are gloating
over their present troubles. I hope Canada
is not one of those.”
Stand proud, America! This is one of the
best editorials that I have ever read
regarding the United States. It is nice that
one man realizes it. I only wish that the
rest of the world would realize it. We are
always blamed for everything, and never
even get a thank you for the things we do.
I would hope that each of you would send
this to as many people as you can and
emphasize that they should send it to as
many of their friends until this letter is
sent to every person on the web. I am just
National Convention
Hilton Albuquerque
May 20, 2003 to May 24, 2003
Tuesday,
May 20, 2003 7:00 PM Reception (Cash Bar) Southwest Ballroom
Wednesday,
May 21, 2003 8:00 AM Church Services Parlor “D”
9:00 AM-3:00 PM Registration Garden Room
10:00 AM Executive Board Meeting New Mexico South
7:30 PM-11:00 PM Reception Host Bar Southwest Ballroom
Thursday,
May 22, 2003 8:00 AM Church Services Parlor “D”
9:00 AM-3:00 PM Registration Garden Room
9:30 AM-12:00 PM Membership Meeting New Mexico South
1:00 PM-3:00 PM VA Seminar New Mexico South
7:30 PM-11:00 PM Reception Host Bar Southwest Ballroom
Friday,
May 23, 2003 8:00 AM Church Services Parlor “D”
9:00 AM-3:00 PM Registration Garden Room
10:00 AM Western States Chapter New Mexico South
Executive Board Meeting
11:30 AM-3:30 PM Western States Chapter New Mexico South
Luncheon & General
Business Meeting
12:00 Noon Widows Luncheon Colorado Room
12:00 Noon Descendants Group
Luncheon
7:30 PM-11:00 PM Quan Party & Dance Southwest Ballroom
Saturday,
May 24, 2003 8:00 AM Church Services Parlor “D”
11:00 AM Memorial Services New Mexico
North & South
6:30 PM Head Table Reception Garden Room
7:00 PM Banquet Southwest Ballroom
a single American that has read this.
Comments: Aside from the fact that this
text was written 28 years ago and has suffered
minor revisions during its travels in
cyberspace, it is authentic. Journalist and
radio personality Gordon Sinclair delivered
the commentary on his Toronto show in
1973, when anti-American sentiment was
at an all-time high. For obvious reasons,
Americans ate it up. The piece has circulated
on the Internet — sometimes attributed
to Sinclair and sometimes not (but always
to “a Canadian”) — for several years. Its
suddenly renewed popularity in September
2001 can be attributed to the recent terrorist
attacks on U.S. soil. Americans, smarting
from the implicit hatred behind these
acts, have found solace in sincere words of
appreciation from a geographical neighbor.
Those words were not, however, authored
“recently,” as most currently circulating
versions claim.

JOIN BOB DOLE FOR THE ULTIMATE
WORLD WAR II REUNION!
The Official Dedication of the
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics
Lawrence, Kansas
July 20-July 22, 2003
Schedule of Events
Ongoing activities at the Dole Institute:
World War II veterans reunion.
World War II historical vehicle display.
Living history: World War II military encampment — Experience the life of a G.I. as
re-enacted by members of the 10th Mountain Division, Senator Dole’s World War II
unit.
Memory Tent/Reunion Headquarters — Large tented area near Dole Institute;
headquarters for reunion activities and public-veteran interaction.
Continuous tours of the new Dole Institute building, with its extensive exhibits,
29-foot stained-glass American flag, and World Trade Center memorial.
Vintage aircraft display (at Lawrence Municipal Airport).
Sunday, July 20
Morning church services: Recognizing the service and sacrifice of those who fought
overseas and those whose efforts on the home front contributed to victory.
2:00 p.m. — Afternoon program: KU Goes to War — Faculty and other members of
the KU family share their personal recollections (at the Lied Center of Kansas).
7:00 p.m. — Evening program: An evening of dancing with the Glenn Miller
Orchestra (at the Holiday Inn Holidome).
Monday, July 21
10:00 a.m. — World War II air show in the skies above the Dole Institute.
2:00 p.m. — 1940s fashion show (at the KU University Theatre).
4:00 p.m. — Outdoor military band concert with the 312th Army Band — Music to
wave the flag by, staged on the banks of our reflecting pool.
8:00 p.m. — Evening program: Salute to the heroes: An Evening to Remember —
Recreated USO-style show and star-studded tribute to Senator Dole and all the men
and women, on the battle front and on the home front, who rescued civilization in its
darkest hour (at the Lied Center).
Tuesday, July 22
10:00 a.m. — Outdoor military band concert with 312th Army Band — Music to wave
the flag by, staged on the banks of our reflecting pool.
11:00 a.m. — Formal dedication ceremony (mid-morning).
— Additional programs and events pending —
Visit the Dole Institute’s Website at www.doleinstitute.org
Important information about ticketed events
Admission to most of the programs and activities surrounding the Dole Institute’s
dedication — including the dedication ceremony itself — is free. There are two premiere
ticketed events:
Sunday night: Glenn Miller Orchestra — Tickets for this event are $40 apiece.
Available on April 1, 2003. On or after April 1, 2003, you may call 1-785-864-SHOW
(1-785-864-7469).
Monday night: Salute to the Heroes: An Evening to Remember — Tickets for this
event are $35 apiece. Available on April 1, 2003. On or after April 1, 2003, you may call
1-785-864-SHOW (1-785-864-7469).
For information about travel and accommodations, please call the Lawrence Convention
and Visitors Bureau toll free at 1-888-LAWKANS (1-888-529-5267) or write to Lawrence
Convention and Visitors Bureau, 734 Vermont, Suite 101, Lawrence, KS 66044-0586;
www.visitlawrence.com
Our membership is invited to attend this program; they will help with those who need
assistance.
JEAN PRUITT —
ADBC Merchandise Sales
Jean is the widow of Past National
Commander Charles Pruitt. She and
Charles have been associated with ADBC
since 1982. Charles became National
Secretary and Merchandise Sales manager
for ADBC upon his completion of the term
of National Commander. After Charles’
death, Jean took on the job of Merchandise
Sales and has been in that position since
1998.
Jean resides in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
She has two daughters and one son. All
three are in close touch with her.
ADBC is so very fortunate to have Jean
as their Merchandising Manager. For
further information and orders for
merchandise she can be reached at: 109
Young Drive, Sweetwater, TN 37874.
THE MARCH
He died while marching through the hell
That history calls Bataan
Slain by the Japs when he became
Too weak to even stand
He died so many miles from home
And him they did not bury
So many more lay where they fell
’Twas like a cemetery
And fourteen thousand more died too
While walking those twelve days
And proper words do not exist
To ever sing their praise
They died, no question in their hearts
Of when their time was due
The only future they could see
Was one step, maybe two
They trod a dusty, tortured path
That led to heaven’s door
And one by one they entered there
To form their ranks once more
Dedicated to the Heroes who endured
The Bataan Death March
Thank you for my Freedom!
Mike Jones
All Rights Reserved
MARCH/APRIL, 2003 — 13

FINDING MY FATHER
Philippines Trip, April 2002
In October of 1939, I arrived with my
parents in Manila (at age 18 mos.). In May
of 1941 my pregnant mom and I left
Manila on the USAT Washington headed
back to the U.S. I have a few fuzzy “snapshot”
memories of the Philippines, but no
clear picture of my dad. My dad survived
the Bataan Death March, O’Donnell,
Cabanatuan, Bilibid, and the Oryoko
Maru, but died in the attack on the Enoura
Maru in Takao Harbor in January of 1945.
My experience growing up was (as I now
know) very typical; mother didn’t talk.
Last April I returned to the Philippines
with the Battling Bastards of Bataan 60th
Anniversary of the Death March Tour.
There were about 80 in the group, including
14 veterans (and the friend of my
dad’s that I found last year). For me the
trip was a series of constant highs and
lows — highs that I was where they had
been, seeing the same places, interacting
with Filipinos, then lows thinking about
what had happened to them. My parents
loved the Philippines before the war; I
have pictures of the places they went, the
places they lived. Then it was destroyed,
along with so many lives. There are
memorials where the prison camps once
stood. Some of us went into Bilibid — still
used as the Manila City Jail — a horrible
place even now, but better than it was
during the war. I sat on the wall at Fort
Santiago and took pictures looking across
the Pasig River to get the same shots that
my father had taken.
There were three memorial ceremonies.
The first was at the Manila American
Cemetery — a beautiful monument to
those who are interred or remembered
there. I found my dad’s name on the wall of
the missing; it was overwhelming to see the
number of walls it took to list the names.
The most incredible speech (at the Mt.
Samat ceremony) was that of the Japanese
ambassador in which he apologized for
WWII. Then there was the informal gathering
at Subic Bay where several of us went
down to the water and threw flowers in
memory of those who went down with the
Oryoko Maru which still lies under water
in the bay about 200 yards offshore.
Corregidor Island is now a federal preserve.
Everything has been left as it was
at the end of the war — bombed out buildings,
artillery emplacements, etc. The
Malinta Tunnel is set up with an audio/
visual program — you walk through the
main tunnel and several of the lateral
tunnels are set up with equipment and
mannequins showing how they lived —
communications, hospital, living quarters,
etc. It is very eerie — so quiet and forlorn.
As part of the tour, those who wanted to
could walk the last 5 miles of the Death
March (from Capas to O’Donnell). I can’t
even imagine how any of the men survived.
Soon after we were underway Karl poked
14 — THE QUAN
Tour New Mexico, Inc. is pleased to
offer the following ideas for day tours.
Each of these tours includes transpor -
tation aboard a modern comfortable
motor-coach and a knowledgeable, friendly
tour guide who will make each trip a
wonderful fun learning experience!
Tour prices based on 30 people.
Albuquerque’s Future and Past
May 22, 2003
6 hours — $45
Price includes: Coach, tour guide,
admission to the National Atomic
Museum, Old Town map, lunch, tax.
This morning we’ll visit the National
Atomic Museum in Old Town. This
museum, run by the U.S. Department of
Energy, features a comprehensive look at
the development and history of nuclear
weaponry and World War II. We’ll watch
their feature film in the mini-theater and
have some time to take in the exhibits and
outdoor missiles on display. For lunch we
will enjoy a picnic in Bataan Park. The
Albuquerque City Parks & Recreation
Department renovated Bataan Park
recently, which included building a new
memorial, listing New Mexican veterans’
names on stone columns symbolizing the
image of the Bataan Death March. A
Native American flute player will
serenade us as we enjoy lunch under a
large stand of cottonwoods.
me and said I had broken the first rule of
survival — which was to walk on the inside
or I would get the “vitamin stick”.
One of the most touching ceremonies
was the induction of “our” veterans into
the Filipino Defenders of Bataan and
Corregidor organization. The Filipino
people were incredibly gracious, friendly,
helpful and charming. They remained
loyal to the U.S., suffered enormously for
it and are still our friends.
We also visited Santo Tomas University
where the American civilians and the
military nurses were interned during the
war.
An unexpected side benefit of the trip
was meeting wonderful people; the veterans
and their wives, other children of veterans
(some orphans, some born after the war),
some who were on the trip because of an
interest in the war, and the Filipino people
themselves. I do not like the word “closure”
as applied to dealing with death; this trip
for me was about connecting, not closing.
Nancy Kragh,
Daughter of Maj. Clarence White,
31st Infantry
TOURS This is Albuquerque!
TOUR NEW MEXICO, INC.
6101 Candelaria NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone & Fax 1-800-333-7159
e-mail: TNM@TourNewMexico.com
May 23, 2003
6 hours — $33
Price includes: Transportation,
tour guide, admission to the
Botanical Gardens & Aquarium,
IPCC Museum & tax.
Get ready for an exciting tour of
Albuquerque. Our tour will include old Rt.
66, the UNM Campus, beautiful neighborhoods
and historic Old Town. Our guide will
tell us stories about the history and growth
of Albuquerque. We will visit the Aquarium
and Botanical Gardens in the morning, followed
by lunch on your own in Old Town
and we’ll finish off the day with the Indian
Pueblo Cultural Center, a wonderful facility
run by the nineteen Indian pueblos of New
Mexico. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Museum is also included and interested
folks can take the self-guided tour. There is
over 7,000 square feet of shopping, too, at
the Cultural Center, so your choices are
many with the dances being the highlight.
Total Enclosed $_________
Name__________________________________
Address________________________________
City ___________________________________
State _________________Zip______________
Telephone _____________________________
PRISONERS OF WAR
It is a melancholy state
You are in the power of the enemy
You owe your life to his humanity
Your Soul to his compassions.
You must obey his orders,
Await his pleasure;
possess your soul in patience.
The days are very long.
The hours crawl by like paralytic
centipedes.
comrades quarrel about trifles,
and get the least possible pleasure
from each other’s society.
You feel a constant humiliation in being
fenced in by railings and wire.
Watched by armed guards
and webbed about with a tangle of
regulations and restrictions.
J.E. Olson
Winter, 1944-5

P.O. Box 25525 — Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125
May 20, 2003-May 25, 2003
Guest Name ________________________________________________________________
Street ______________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________ State ______________ Zip ____________
Telephone __________________________________________________________________
Single — $79.00; Double — $79.00; Triple — $79.00
Date of Arrival ______________________________________________________________
Date of Departure ___________________________________________________________
Special Requirements________________________________________________________
Payment — C.C. #___________________________________________________________
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number to enclose one night’s deposit. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Check-out time
is 12:00 noon. Cancellation must be received by 72 hours prior to day of arrival or
room will be charged.
Make check payable to the Hotel.
Cut Off Date — April 29, 2003
If rate requested is not available, nearest rate will be assigned.
All rooms subject to existing local and state taxes.
TOLL FREE: 800-274-6835 FAX: (505) 889-9118
PRE-CONVENTION REGISTRATION
We have had good past results with the pre-registration application, beats standing
in long lines. We are going to change the card a little. The 1st line will be your 1st name
(Bill/William for instance). On the P.O.W. Camps line use only your favorite. The rest of
the blank fill out as stated. The banquet ticket should be exchanged for table reservations.
DO NOT send money. Pay when you come to the convention. Cut Off Date
4/15/02.
REGISTRATION CARD — PLEASE PRINT
FIRST NAME_____________________________________ GUEST ___________________________
FULL NAME _____________________________________PHONE ( ________ ) ________________
ADDRESS _________________________________________________________________________
CITY____________________________________________STATE ___________ZIP ______________
UNIT IN P.I. _______________________________________________________________________
P.O.W. CAMP _____________________________________________________________________
Mail to: Duane L. Heisinger, Executive Secretary
7401 Bull Run Dr., Centseville, VA 20121
PRE-REGISTER
It is very important that those who are planning to attend the 2003 Albuquerque
Convention pre-register as soon as possible so that we can make proper arrangements
at the hotel. It is difficult now days dealing with the hotels as they insist we hold to our
predictions for rooms, meals and meeting space.
We need your information on your plans as soon as possible. Thank you.
DUANE HEISINGER
Duane Heisinger, Executive Secretary,
American Defenders of Bataan &
Corregidor — Duane is the oldest of three
sons of Grace and Lawrence Heisinger. He
was born and raised in Fresno, California.
He attended Fresno State College for two
years and spent a year in the U.S. Air
Force before entering the U.S. Naval
Academy. He graduated from the
Academy in 1956. He then served on
active duty with the Navy for a period of
thirty (30) years retiring in the rank of
Captain USN. His assignments were
primarily at sea including two ship commands,
three combat tours in Vietnam
and over eleven (11) years in overseas
intelligence assignments including three
(3) years as Defense Attache, London.
Duane’s father was a prisoner of war of
the Japanese in the Philippines. Duane
has been researching the life and death of
his dad.
ADBC is most fortunate that Duane has
volunteered to fill the most important
administrative position within the organization
… that of Executive Secretary. We
are so grateful to Duane for this generous
gesture. Duane and his wife, Judith, live
in Virginia. They have three (3) married
daughters and ten (10) grandchildren.
————————
REPORTS
Officers and Committee Chairmen — If
you find you are not able to be present at
the convention, please send your report to
Duane Heisinger so he can make the
report at the Executive Board and
Membership Meeting.
MARCH/APRIL, 2003 — 15

MOVING SOON?
Please let us know six weeks before you
move what your new address will be. Be
sure to supply us with both your old and
new address, including the address label
from your current issue. Copies we mail to
your old address will not be delivered by
the Post Office and we must pay 50 cents
for each returned Quan.
ATTACH OLD ADDRESS LABEL HERE
My new address will be:
NAME ________________________________
ADDRESS _____________________________
CITY _________________________________
STATE ________________________________
ZIP ___________________________________
Mail to:
JOSEPH A. VATER
Editor, the Quan
18 Warbler Drive
McKees Rocks, Pa. 15136
16 — THE QUAN
American Defenders of
Bataan & Corregidor, Inc.
18 Warbler Dr.
McKees Rocks, Pa. 15136
*Change Service Requested*
Please Use Form 3547
DUES
ARE
DUE
JUNE 1
EACH
YEAR
$8.00
Please Send Correct Address When Moving
American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc.
(including any unit of force of the Asiatic Fleet,
Philippine Archipelago, Wake Island, Mariana Islands,
Midway Islands and Dutch East Indies. 12/7/41-5/10/42.
For Merchandise Sales:
Life Membership — $25.00 Mrs. Jean Pruitt
Part Life, Part Payment 109 Young Dr.
Subscription — Quan — $8.00 Yr. Sweetwater, TN 37874
Fill in all Blanks For Dues:
John A. Crago
801 Huntington Ave.
Warren, IN 46792-9402
Name (Please Print) _______________________________ Highest Rank _________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________ State __________ Zip Code ___________
Organization Complete Unit ________________________ Ser. No. ______________________
SS No. ____________________ Wife’s Name ___________ Tel. __________________________
Life ____ Pt. Life ____ Subscription ____ Last POW Camp ____________________________
Bo-Lo-Ties — W/Logo......................... 12.00 Tie Tacks............................................... 7.00
Bo-Lo-Ties — 50th Av. Coin. ............. 12.00 Tie Bar .................................................. 7.00
Blazer Patch (Regular)......................... 4.00 Patch for Hat ........................................ 3.00
Belt Buckle Decal................................. 4.00 Decal — Window .................................. 2.00
License Plates....................................... 4.00 Decal — W/Logo ................................... 2.00
Pins 3” X 2”........................................... 6.00 Caps, White W/Logo............................. 8.00
Overseas Caps only sizes 67 ⁄8, 7.......... 28.00 Caps, Blue............................................. 8.00
All items shipped require 15% postage
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
PITTSBURGH PA
PERMIT NO 2648
DEDICATION
The Philippine community, in conjunction
with the Florida Chapter ADBC, will
dedicate the Memorial Statue from the
Bataan Death March.
Dr. Gonzales, who has been responsible
for the design and construction of the
memorial, has indicated he expects delegates
from the Philippines to be present.
We urge, if you can make it, please
come. The place — the City Park in
Kissimmee, FL. The time — 11:00 a.m.
The Date — April 5, 2003.
If you have any questions, call Frank
Bigelow at 1-352-799-1008.