June 2007 - Philippine Defenders Main

Volume 62 Pittsburgh, PA _ June 2007 Number 1
Above, Executive Secretary Paul Ropp
adminIsters the Oath of Office to John
Oliver, Everett Reamer, Charles Dragich
and Ed Jackfert at the 2007 Annual
Convention in Washington, DC.
At right, Harold Bergbower, PNC, and Ed
Jackfert, PNC, visit the World War II
Memorial Pacific Area.
Inside this issue:
* The Future of ABDC
* Joe Vater Retires as Editor
* Museum Plans Advance
* New Commander Speaks
* Youths Have Passion for
POW’s
* 2007 Conference Pictures
* and more.......
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Everett D. Reamer
Commander
London Bridge Town
2301 S. Jamaica Blvd.
Lake Havasu, AZ 86403
John H. Oliver
Adjutant
1400 Ocatilla Drive
Marble Falls, TX 78654-4525
Joseph A. Vater. PNC
Consultant
Convention Site
Quan Publication
18 Warbler Dr.
McKees Rocks, PA 15136-1858
Members Of The Investment Board
Edward Jackfert, Secretary Joseph A. Vater, Consultant
Executive Board
Charles Dragich (Elected )
All Incumbent State Commanders -
All Past National Commanders
J.W. George Wallace
Editor, The Quan
319 Charles St.
Wellsburg, WV 26070-0591
Your confidence in placing
me as your Commander for
2007-08 is appreciated. For
those of you who are unfamiliar
with me and my background,
I will offer a bit of information.
I enlisted in the U.S. Army
on February 2, 1941 at Cincinnati,
Ohio. I chose the Philippines
for duty. On March 31,
1941, I departed San Francisco
on USAT Republic, arrived
Manila April 20, 1941; then to
2 - The Quan
Dr. Lester I. Tenney
Senior Vice-Commander
1963 Silverleaf Circle
Carlsbad, CA 92009-8407
Edward Jackfert, PNC
National Treasurer
201 Hillcrest Dr.
Wellsburg, WV 26070-1941
Martin S. Christie
Necrology Committee Chrmn.
23424 Mobile St.
West Hills, CA 91307-3323EE
Mrs. Jean Pruitt
Merchandise Sales
109 Young Dr.
Sweetwater, TN 37874-3130
Commander Everett Reamer’s Message
Corregidor for basic training. I
was assigned to Btry "F" 60th
CA (AA). Our field position
was Topside, protecting 12"
Coastal Battery Cheney. I was
a fuse range setter on our 3"
anti-aircraft gun. For infantry, I
was a Browning Automatic
Rifleman (BAR). I saw a lot of
action during the battle for
Bataan and Corregidor. On May
7, 1942, I was captured, held at
92nd Garage Area; In June 1942
PUBLISHED 4 TIMES A YEAR
Paul Ropp
Executive Secretary
504-B North Thomas St.
Arlington, VA 22203-2488
703-527-6983
Andrew Miller
Historian
1605 Cagua Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87110-6611
Harold Spooner
Thomas A. Hackett
Arthur Beale
Rev. Albert 0. Talbot
Bernard Grill
Andy Miller
James McEvoy
Louis Scahwald
Joseph Matheny
M/Gen.E.P.King Jr.
Jerome A. McDavitt
George Wonneman
Simme Pickman
John M. Emerick
Frank Bigelow
Albert Senna
Joseph I Poster
Charles L. Pruitt
PAST NATIONAL COMMANDERS
to Manila, Bilibid, on to Cabanatuan
#3. On October 2,
1942, back to Manila Pier #7,
boarded Hell Ship Totori Maru.
We left not knowing where we
were headed; were attacked by
U.S. Submarine but were
missed. We arrived Tapei,
Formosa on October 12, 1942,
then to Pusan, Korea and on to
Osaka, Japan. I arrived in Osaka
on November 11, 1942.
Approximately 120 Ameri-
Rev. Robert W. Phillips
Chaplain
1620 Mayflower Court A-418
Winter Park, FL 32792
Dr. William R. Brenner
Surgeon
1006 State St.
Larned, KA 67550--2154
Maurice Mazer
John Bennett
Melvin L. Routt
Joseph A. Vater
James D. Cantwell
James R. Flaitz
Lewis Goldstar
Ralph Levenberg
John Koot
Albert C. Cimini
Elmer E. Long, Jr.
Roy Y. Gentry
Samuel M Bloom, M.D.
Philip Arslanian
Edward Jackfert
Kenneth J.Stull
John Rowland
Joseph L. Alexander
Harry P. Menozzi
John Crago
Joseph Ward
John F. Ray
Edward Jackfert
Omar McGuire
Samuel B. Moody
John R. Lyons
John H. Oliver
Arthur A. Bressi
Ken Curley
Agapito E. Silva
John E. Le Clair
Henry J.Wilayto
Harold A. Bergbower
James Cavanaugh
Charles Bloskis
cans from the Philippines were
placed in Osaka Camp #1, a
small newly-built camp. It was
later enlarged with 500 British
troops. I worked as a stevedore
unloading ships on the
docks, warehouses, and other
manual labor details.
Continued on Page 10 -
Please see
‘Commander’s Message’

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Commander Everett Reamer
Crowne Plaza Hotel - Washington, DC - April 16, 2007
I humbly accept to be your commander of this our sixtythird
year.
From the jungles of Bataan to the fortresses of Corregidor,
throughout the Philippines and the Pacific region, we fought,
died and became the most mistreated group of prisoners of war
in history.
We suffered starvation, lack of medical care and horrific
abuse..just because we were Americans. Yet, today we hold no
lingering animosity to our Japanese captors.
We, however would appreciate a sincere apology from the
appropriate Japanese officials for the atrocious treatment we
received at their hands.
Apologies have been rendered to POW's from other countries
who were held by the Japanese, why not to us Americans?
I trust our legacy will endure and our efforts to illuminate
these atrocities will be carried on by our descendants until such
time this overdue apology occurs..to us American POW's held
by Japan in World War II.
Taps are on the horizon as our few remaining comrades carry
on. I shall attempt to hold our banner high in 07-08. Thank you
and may God bless you all.
quan - When you are one with
something. Suggests unity or
completion.
FUTURE PLANS OF THE ADBC, INC. Report by Ed Jackfert PNC
Old age is finally catching up
with the members of the ADBC,
Inc. The average age is approximately
88 years. The consequences
thereof causes many
problems for an organization
such as ours. We cannot get a
full slate of officers, there are few
programs, and even the conventions
are now suffering from our
natural aging process.
We were exceedingly happy
to see many descendants step
in and assist at the Washington,
D.C. convention. Consequently,
the board of directors of the
ADBC, Inc. at their annual meeting
at Washington, D.C., decided
to make a few changes. The next
convention (2008) will be held in
Louisville, Ky. The following
year (2009) the convention will
be held in San Antonio, Texas.
Subsequently, the Descendants
Of The American Defenders Of
Corregidor, Inc., upon forming an
organization, will be conducting
all future conventions. The convention
in 2010 will be completely
planned and operated by the
descendants. The board has offered
and will pay the entire reasonable
expenses of the convention.
Subsequent to the 2010
convention, the "Descendants"
will hopefully continue what the
ADBC, Inc. had started in the
year 1946. All surviving members
of the ADBC, the widows, descendants,
and friends are urged
to attend and expand their relationship
with our organization in
the future years. Joe Vater has
decided to relinquish his official
status as Editor of the Quan and
Convention Site chairman.
The "Quan" will be published
under the direction of
George Wallace, editor of the
Brooke Review, Wellsburg, WV.
Joe Vater Retires as Quan Editor
After 50 years committed and dedicated service, Joe Vater of
McKees Rocks, PA, has decided to retire as editor/publisher of the
Quan.
The following is a letter from Joe and his wife, Helen:
Thanks for the Memories:
Just a few lines to say it has been an honor to have served the
ADB&C for the past 50 years, having been involved in the 1950
Convention in Pittsburgh, PA.
It goes without saying that I have enjoyed every hour I spent to
further the POW story of the ADB&C.
Having passed my 90th birthday and losing some of the skills I
had in the past, I watched the TV Poker Series and thought now
might be the right time to fold my hand.
Helen and I want to thank all our friends and supporters through
the years. I know the ADB&C will continue to exist and get better
under the new leadership.
It has been a wonderful ride. Now this is my stop to get off.
Joe and Helen Vater
140 Attend Descendents’ Brunch at Conference
The Descendants Brunch, now a regular event at ADBC conventions,
was a great success this year with more than 140 in attendance.
Rather than the traditional program with a speaker, we invited
POWs to sit at each table and tell a little about their experiences
during the war. We are grateful to the following men for sharing
their stories with us and answering our questions: Malcolm Amos,
Harold Bergbower, Dr. Albert Brown, Bob Brown, John Emerick, Ed
Jackfert, John Oliver, William Overmier, Fr. Bob Phillips, John Real,
He will, with the assistance of
others, publish the "Quan" as
long as practicable.
With the help of the membership,
the widows, and the descendants,
it is our wish that the
efforts of our members during the
past many years will be continued.
It is not an easy task and will
take the cooperation of many. So
we say, get organized and be
ready to carry on. There are many
of us ready to assist you.
Paul Ropp, our executive secretary,
and Joe Alexander, PNC
will be in charge of all ADBC convention
activities.
We sincerely thank Joe Vater,
editor of the Quan and chairman
of the convention committee for
his many years of leadership
within the ADBC and hopefully,
he will be there to assist in the
future as a consultant.
Everett Reamer, Paul Reuter, Ben
Steele and AGOM member Luke
Campeau. We always welcome
anyone interested in attending
(not just descendants). Thanks
also to Judy Pruitt for handling
tickets and brunch arrangements.
We elected Nancy Kragh to
continue as the Descendants
Group Chair for the next year. As
our role in helping with the conventions
evolves, we will be looking
at a more formal form of organization
in the coming year.
Nancy is developing a list of
people interested in being part
of a more structured Descendants
Group and wants to hear
from anyone who would like to
participate in the new organization.
Her email address is:
nkragh@hotmail.com. The
ADBC donated the proceeds of
the raffle ($925) to help get the
group started so we owe them a
big thank you for this gift.
June 2007 - 3

Kevin Secors,
Veterans Service Organizations Liaison officer
Kevin:
I would like to thank you for the opportunity of helping two of
the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. The men were
Prisoners of War during 1942 and 1945 and according to the various
resolutions and legislation enacted during the Kennedy Administration,
they never received their due medals. Although there may
be reasons that the medals were not awarded under the original
legislation, President Ronald Reagan amended it again and President
Clinton again in 1996. In February 1996 the law was rewritten to
include the new legislation which would definitely include both
Lawrence Berger and Harry V. Carrarini.
The legislation according to AR-600-8-22 of the Purple Heart
differs from other awards in that an individual is not recommended
for same, but through the entitlement of specific criteria. Thus in
February 1996, Public Law 104-106 further amended this so that a
person who was deemed a Prisoner of War under section 1128 of
title 10 USC would meet the eligibility criteria for the Purple Heart.
Both Mr. Berger and Mr. Carrarini have documentation that establishes
their meeting all of the eligibility criteria for the Purple
Heart. Based upon their eligibility, I would greatly appreciate if you
and Mr. Jones would take the appropriate action to verify the entitlement
and grant these American heroes their rightful awards, so
many, many years too late. It is a travesty to our American fighting
man that they have waited so long to receive this cherished medal.
Thank you for your time and effort in this regard.
Sincerely,
Sheldon Zimbler
4 - The Quan
Correspondence
ADBC Web Site Changes
The ADBC Web Site lists many names, addresses, e-mail
addresses, phone numbers, etc. which enables members to locate
old friends and to send them e-mail messages, e-mails or phone
calls. If you want your name and/or address listed, contact your
ADBC National Chaplain for help. My e-mail address is
frphillips@sprintmail.com.
The URL for our ADBC Web Site is:
http://www.west-point.org/family/adbc/
We invite you to visit our Site at its new location, 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; we will make sure that our Web Master,
John Lewis, receives the information:
Martin Christie: ,
Warren Jorgenson: or
Don Versaw:
Dear American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor,
I want to thank you for allowing the Rutgers Oral History Project
to attend the 2007 American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor
Convention in Washington DC, and to conduct oral history interviews
with those members that wanted to share their story. I wanted
to let you know that 20 interviews were conducted, which means
that 20 of your stories will be preserved for future generations to
listen to and read, and learn a little bit more about what some of you
went through. I know each individual’s story is unique and important,
and something future generations could never grasp from a
school textbook. I encourage you all to share and record your story.
My grandfather, Dominick Giantonio, before he passed away, was
interviewed by Michael Norman for the upcoming book Tears in the
Darkness. Having that interview, with his life story, and being able
to hear his voice, is priceless to me. For those of you that conducted
interviews, and agree to allow your stories to be available to
anyone who wants to read them, we hope to get them on the Rutgers
Oral History website by the end of the summer: http://
oralhistory.rutgers.edu/
Thanks again to everyone who gave interviews, and for
everyone else who was so kind to us,
Elaine Blatt and the Rutgers Oral History Archives
Mothers Of Fallen
Soldiers. Marines
Meet at Cemeteries
Mothers Of Fallen Soldiers
And Marines Bond At National
Cemeteries. Calling it "a club
nobody wants to be in," USA
Today describes the mothers of
fallen troops, reporting, "Among
the headstones of Iraq and Afghanistan
war dead buried in Arlington
National Cemetery is a
small but growing community of
broken hearts who have found
one another. ...They make journeys
of grief, spending hours at
the graves writing letters, tending
flowers or simply mourning
in silence. ...Similar instances of
bonding have occurred at other
national cemeteries run by the
Department of Veterans Affairs,
spokeswoman Jo Schuda says.
Sixty-five of those cemeteries are
open for burials and have accepted
about 600 war dead from
Iraq and Afghanistan, she says."
Thanking Joe
Dear Joe;
I heard at the convention that
you are turning over the
editorship of The Quan to a Mr.
George Wallace. If you believe it
would be useful, I could continue
sending items to him. If so, I will
need his address.
The ADBC could not have
been so successful and important
without your outstanding
devotion and leaderhsip, especially
as reagrds The Quan.
It is the tie that binds the
members and the descendents
together.
All the best;
Paul Arnold
Editors Note: Submissions for
publication may be sent to
George Wallace. P O Box
591,Wellsburg, WV 26070
OR emailed to:
thequan@comcast.net

The Quan -“Glue That Held Us Together”
After 50 Years
Joe Vater Retires
By George Wallace - For over
50 years, Joe Vater has served
as the editor of the Quan.
Many have described Joe
and the publication as the
"glue which has held the
ABD&C together."
The Quan, under Joe's tireless
volunteer effort, has
grown to a major publication
which informs, entertains and
assures that the waning membership
of POW's know of activities
on their behalf to improve
veterans' services, and
the on-going drive to gain recognition
for the incredible injustice
of having been abandoned.
Through the years Joe has
borne the sadness of seeing
the number of obituaries of his
comrades grow from a few to
many.
"Before long," he said recently,
"there will not be so
many. There aren't many of us
left."
As the membership of the
American Defenders of Bataan and
Corregidor dwindles, however, the
descendents have became an important
component of the organizations,
attending the convention,
and now, forming their own dedicated
organization.
Today, the Quan has the role -
and the great opportunity - of being
the glue which holds the descendents
together with a unified
goal of keeping the memories alive.
Joseph A. Vater was employed
in the painting trade when he was
drafted on June 21, 1941. He was
sent to Fort Belvoir for indoctrination
and engineering training.
The Army wasted no time in
getting Joe to the Philippines. He
arrived on Guam on October 12,
1941; Manila on the 23rd and into
Clark Field on the 24th. From there,
he went to the base at O'Donnell
where his unit, the 803rd Aviation
Engineers, were charged with
building the airfield, roads and
other infrastructure.
His unit was at O'Donnellon
December 8 when they saw 24 aircraft
overhead in formation heading
for Clark Field. One of the ser-
The Chaplain’s Corner “Letting Go”
“Letting go” is the hardest thing to
do. Whether it be parting with a friend or discarding
a favorite pair of shoes, we feel a loss in
our lives. Death of a loved one is even harder.
When a familiar and good part of our lives is
taken away, our sense of security is replaced by
a sense of uncertainty and fear of the unknown
ahead. These are natural and good feelings, but
they can hurt.
We have realistically known that the
ADBC could not sustain itself forever; earthly life is not about “forever”.
The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for
everything and a time to give up everything of this world. We can
expand this list to include the ADBC.
At its Convention 2007 the Membership adopted a recommendation
from the Executive Board to hold just two more conventions
on our own; subsequent conventions would be done by the
Descendants’ Group (DG), who have helped so much in putting on
recent conventions. The transition should be smooth and the ADBC
as such will diminish to a support group for the DG.
I commend the leadership of the ADBC for formulating this
Joseph A. Vater, Sr.
geants told the men, "Look men.
There goes our Navy."
Moments later the sound of
bombs falling proved that it was
not the U.S.Navy at work.
The 803rd was organized
into four companies and continued
to work at rebuilding roads
plan and the membership for approving it. We have faced the reality
that we are aging and, as nature goes, we are unable to sustain our
former activities. We also recognize the fact that death is an important
part of living.
So over the next few years we will be “letting go” with
pride and honor intact; we’ll turn turn the reins over a younger, more
able DG group who will continue to keep alive the story of the
defense of the Philippines 1941-1945. Much of our service has been
documented so the world can know the importance of fighting to
defend the free world. God has rewarded our faithfulness; I come let
us worship Him.
In His service,
and as bombing by the Japanese
became a regular event.
When the Japanese landed
and began their invasion, Joe
Continued on Page 13
Please see
“Joe Vater Retires’
Fr. Bob Phillips SSC
National Chaplain and Web Site Chairman
American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc.
June 2007 -5

2007 Convention Attendees
Visit Washington, Memorial
April in Washington is usually
one of the prettiest times to
visit, but this year an unusual
windy, rainy cold streak seemed
to linger for the whole of our convention.
April 14 th dawned overcast
and windy, but everyone
arrived in the lobby bright and
early for the bus trip. Because it
was the day of the Cherry Blossom
Parade and many roads to
our destinations were blocked
for the duration of the parade,
our guides had to find alternate
routes to the Franklin D.
Roosevelt memorial and the
World War II Memorial. Although
most of the cherry blossoms
around the Tidal Basin
were past their prime there were
blooming trees and tulips everywhere
surrounding the magnificent
monuments and the white
stone buildings that line the
Mall.
The FDR memorial was a wonderful
combination of flowing
water and sculpture telling the
story of Roosevelt’s three presidential
terms. Notable features
were statues of FDR in his wheelchair,
Eleanor Roosevelt, and
five men standing in a bread line.
One ex-POW joined the back of
that line for a picture, remarking
that he’d been there before.
The World War II Memorial
was the highlight of the trip for
most of the group. It was an ap-
6 - The Quan
propriate tribute to the sacrifices
made by the members of the
ADBC.
There was a pillar for each
state and territory, hung with a
bronze wreath.
The center plaza separated an
area dedicated on one side to the
Atlantic and the other to the Pacific
theater.
A fountain where the names
of the major battles were carved
became a major photo opportunity
when Bataan and Corregidor
were sighted.
Union Station was the stop
for lunch. Not only is it still a
working train station and Metro
stop but there is a giant food
court and many shops. It has
been restored to its former ornate
glory.
The White House, Capitol, Library
of Congress, Supreme
Court, Iwo Jima statue, Washington
Monuments, House and
Senate Office Buildings, and FBI
headquarters, were part of the
“ride by” portion of the day.
Initially there was a nominal
fee for most riders but an anonymous
and very generous benefactor
covered the cost of the
three buses and the guides for
the more than 160 lucky riders.
Thank you.
Submitted by Caroline
Burkhart - Daughter of Thomas
F. Burkhart. 45 th Infantry, PS
Over 400 Attend 2007 Convention
The 2007 ADBC National Convention was held at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel Dulles Airport near Washington, DC on April 12 - 16,
2007. We had 407 attendees including 66 members. The remainder
were spouses, widows, descendants and guests. Attendees enjoyed
a very inspirational one-person play performed by 15-yearold
Anthony Zendejas, a bus tour of Washington, DC monuments
& memorials and a speech by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim
Nicholson during the final banquet.
National Convention 2008
The 2008 ADBC National Convention will be held at the Holiday
Inn Louisville-Downtown, 120 West Broadway, Louisville, KY
40202 on May 5-10, 2008.
National AppraisersThank POW’s
Members of the American
Society of Appraisers Education
Subcommittee meeting at
the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the
same time as the ABD&C sent
an expression of appreciation to
the members after hearing of the
annual conference being held
there.
“We were so touched by the
stories we heard,” said one
member..
The appraisers asked that
the following note be read to
the membership:
”To the Defenders of
Corregidor and Bataan, and the
43rd marine Regiment, the Business
Valuation Committee of the
American Society of Appraisers
says Thank You for your service
and your contribution to our
lives.”
The message was signed by
all 14 members present, some of
whom were former military. and/
or descendents of World War II
veterans.
MEMBERSHIP
Terry J. Alien, ASA
John J. Barton, ASA
Carol W. Garden, ASA
Alien M. Goodrick, ASA
Jane S. Grimm
H. Edward Morris, Jr., ASA
Robert B. Morrison, ASA
Scott A. Nammacher, ASA
Bonnie O'Rourke, ASA
William Quackenbush, ASA
Raymond D. Rath, ASA
James S. Rigby, Jr., ASA
Laurie M. Saunders
Robert C. Schlegel, ASA
Trey Stevens, ASA
Chris D. Treharne, ASA
Linda B. Trugman, ASA
Richard A. Warner, AM

China Creates Museum At Former POW Camp
China creates museum at former POW camp
May 20, 2007
BEIJING (Reuters) - China is turning the site of a prison camp
run by Japanese forces during World War Two into a war museum,
the Xinhua news agency said on Sunday.
More than 2,000 prisoners from the United States, Britain, the
Netherlands and Australia were imprisoned at the camp in Shenyang,
a Manchurian city formerly known as Mukden, between November
1942 and August 1945.
More than one in 10 of them died, Xinhua said. Many Chinese
believe Japan has yet to apologize properly for its invasion and
occupation of China in the years leading up to and during the war.
The 54 million yuan ($7 million) museum in Shenyang will include
a two-story brick building, three bungalows and a water tower,
all original camp buildings in the Dadong district, Xinhua said.
Two walls in a square will be
inscribed with the names of the
prisoners of war.
China has a museum in
Nanjing commemorating the
slaughter of the citizens of that
city, formerly known as Nanking,
by invading Japanese troops 70
years ago.
Nanjing has become the focal
point for Japanese ultra-nationalists
who dispute the Chinese
estimate that 300,000 died
or even that any massacre occurred.
An Allied tribunal after the
war put the death toll at about
142,000 men, women and children.
Decendants Group Organization
At the April convention, the ADBC asked the Descendants Group (DG) to take an increasingly
active role in putting on the conventions, culminating in 2010 when the DG will take full responsibility
for the convention. In order to better fulfill this expanded role, the Descendants are moving
forward to develop a more formal organizational structure and relationship with the ADBC. During
the coming year, we will develop a proposal to be presented to the DG, at the next convention, for a
new organization including non-profit tax staus, mission statement, board of directors, etc. The
name of the organization is the "Descendants Group, an Auxiliary of the American Defenders of
Bataan and Corregidor". We will begin accepting membership applications (see form below) immediately,
with dues of $25/year. The ADBC has generously donated the proceeds of the convention
raffle to our fledgling group ($925) to give us a start.
In addition to supporting the ADBC, the organization's ultimate purpose/mission will be related
to educating Americans about the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and the experiences of the
men and women who subsequently became Japanese prisoners of war. I encourage all relatives and
friends of ex-POWs to become involved in this new group and help us begin a great organization
that can carry on the legacy of these exceptional men and women.
Judy Pruitt has offered to act as our treasurer, so please send all checks to her at the address on
the form. For other suggestions or comments, please contact me at nkragh@hotmail.com.
Nancy Kragh
Descendants Group Chair
Descendants Group, an Auxiliary of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor
Membership Form
Name (Please Print)
Address
Dear all,
Nine former POWs who were
interned in the POW camp in
Mukden (now Shenynag), including
our friend Bob Brown,
are now visiting this museum.
Chinese American activist
group paid their travel expenses.
In addition, CCTV
(China’s official TV station) is
making a documentary on their
return visit to China. Compared
with the disastrous handling of
the Comfort Women issue by the
City State ZIP Code
Telephone_______________________ Email______________________________
POW Relative/Friend Name & Rank__________________________________________
Service Unit (if known)____________________________________________________
Do you want to be included on a DG email list? Yes No
Annual dues: $25.00
Send dues to: Judy Pruitt 25 Windsor Rd. Brookline, MA 02445
Japanese government, the Chinese
seem to be much better at
public relations. I am sure this
article will be followed by reports
on the POWs’ visit to the
Museum in a few days.
I am now requesting a meeting
with the Foreign Ministry
in early June when I go to Tokyo.
They may or may not see
me. I will keep you posted.
Best wishes,
Kinue Tokudome
June 2007 -7

ADB&C National Convention, Washington, DC April 12-16, 2007
List of Convention Attendees
Abraham, Abie
Akullian, Agnes
Akullian, Arthur
Alexander, Joseph L.
Alexander, Norma D.
Amos, Harold M.
Anderson, Billie
Andler, Valeda J.
Andrews,
Austin Lamar
Arnold, Paul E.
Austria, Pete N.
Ayres, Cecelia C.
Bales, Ernest J.
Bekovac, Fran
Benham, Cathy
Bergbower, Harold A.
Bergbower-Grunwald,
Debra
Bergstrom, Oscar K.
Bingamon, Cheryl
Bingamon, Steve
Blakeslee, Stephen P.
Blatt, Elaine
Blatt, Michael
Bleil, Cindy
Bleil, Claudia
Bleil, Eugene E.
Bleil, Opal L.
Bloskis, Annette L.
Bourque, Kathryn
Braham, Darren
Braham, Dena
Braham, Gary
Braham, Jody
Braham, Joshua
Braham, Kerisa
Braham, Kiera
Braham, Tami
Brenner, Carlotta M.
Brenner, William Rush
Brittan, Julia E.
Brown, Albert N.
Brown, Ann
Brown, Ashley
Brown, Charles O.
Brown, Nancy T.
Brown, Robert A.
Brown, Jr., Albert N.
Brownewell,
Elizabeth C.
Bryan, Allen
Burkhart, Caroline E.
Burkhart, Tab
Bush, Barbara
8 - The Quan
Butler-Burkhart, Patty
Cambus, Jane Bzoch
Cambus, John
Campeau, Fran
Campeau, Lucien V.
Carrarini, Harry V.
Carrarini, Lillian M.
Chapman, Gerald S.
Chapman, Kathryn G.
Chartoff, Maurice
Chia, Ying Jie
Christie, Martin S.
Christie, Rosie
Christle, Jane
Christle, Larry
Christle, Merritt M.
Clay, Dawne K.
Clay, Terry
Coffey, Robert E.
Cook, Mike
Cook, Russell
Coon, Helen
Coon, Michael D.
Coon, Phillip W.
Cummins, Lora M.
Curley, Mary R.
Curtis, Lou
Dahl, Linda
Dahlstrom, Baesley I.
Dahlstrom, Kris E.
Darton, Amy
Darton, Chris
DeVivo, Doris M.
DeVivo, Frank H.
Dewberry, Sidney O.
Donnan, Marydee
Doughty, Margaret L.
Downey, Gary James
Downey, Jon
Downey, Mel
Downey, Tiffany
Downey, Jr., James
Dragich, Ann
Dragich, Charles
Du Sell, Adrienne E.
Du Sell, Terry
Elliott, Glenda M.
Emerick, John M.
Englehart, James
Englehart, Madonna
Erickson, Jim
Erlanger, Joe
Evans-Fragale, Alison
Farrens, Beverly P.
Farrens, David Scott
Felsen, Albert O.
Felsen, Dorothy
Fertig-Dykes, Susan
Flint, Chris
Flint, Jennifer
Flint, Rick
Ford, Marlene Ellis
Francies, Richard E.
Freeman, Heidi R.
Galdon, Chris
Galdon, Dayna
Perkowski
Gallagher, Geoffrey
Gallagher, Sharon
Giantonio-Blatt, Andrea
Gibbons, Melea L.
Gibson, Kevin
Goad, Jessica
Goad, Lois E.
Grandsko, Marcia A.
Haburne, Dolores J.
Hammond, James F
Harless, Kim L.
Harper, Raymond J.
Harrill, Dianne
Harrington, Marilyn
Harris, Bob
Hartsook, Blythe A.
Harvey, Jane
Harvey, Jay W.
Hazel, Eleanor
Hazel, William A. “Bill”
Heisinger, Judith E.
Herbst, Lisa
Herbst, Mark C.
Herzberg, Jane Watrel
Hionedes, Ann M.
Hionedes, Nicholas
Holder, Pat
Holmes, Catherine
Holmes, Ginger Hansen
Holmes, Kent E.
Holmes, Linda Goetz
Howard, Jesse Ellis
Huppuch, Charles
Ibuki, Yuka
Idlett, Debbie
Idlett, George Douglas
Illingworth, Shaun
Iozzi, Lisa
Jackfert, Edward
Jackfert, Henrietta
Jaggers, Mary A.
Janz, Greta A.
Janz, Jacob
Janz, Jason C.
Janz, Thomas
Janz, Timothy
Johler-Bryan,
Dorothy R.
Johnson, David L.
Johnson, James W.
Johnson, Jean Ann
Johnson, Ruth
Jurika, Louis Lee
Kallivokas, Chris
Kallivokas, Rosalia
Karnes, Erma
Lowman
Kelso, Mark A.
Kemp, Ed
Keys, Cinde
Kinkead, Peggy
Kissel, Arthur
Kissel, Brent
Kissel, Courtney
Kissel, Monica
Kissel, Ralph R.
Kissel, Walter
Kloecker, Amy
Kloecker, Bettsy
Kloecker, E. J.
Kloecker, Jason
Kloecker, Jennifer
Kopack, Dave
Kopack, Jody
Kragh, Nancy
Kreyssig, Anne
Kreyssig, Bill
Kruger, Courtney T.
Lachman, Alice
Lachman, David
Lamm, Carolyn
Lamm, Kenneth M.
Lamm, Jr., Walter C.
Landes, James
Landes, Suzanne
Lennon, Dottie
Lennon, Thomas
Leonard, Mary Ida
Leonard, Oscar L.
Leonard, Sarah
Lewis, Fran
Lewis, John B.
Leyva,
Dominique A.
Logan, Donna M.
Lowman, Martha L.
Luna, Rolando R.
Macomber, Judy
Mansell, Roger
Maselskis (Mason),
Francine P.
Maselskis (Mason), Frank W.
Matthews, Luellen
Matthews, Norman R.
Maynard, Howard S.
Maynard, Mary McKay
Mazur, Joan Sanders
McArdle, Dorothy C.
McClamma, Stephanie
McCorts-Blaine, Mary Jane
McCorts-Bookwalter,
Susannah
McDavitt, Linda
McGarry, Jack
McGarry, Kathy
McGrew, Al
McGrew, Marjean
McGrew, Vicki
McGuire, Lucy
McGuire, Omar
Mefford, Pauline P.
Merkle, Maria
Merkle, Michele
Mihalik, Linda Lamm
Miller, Andrew
Miller, Docia
Miller, Pamela
Miller, Wayne I.
Miller, III, Andrew
Mills, Charlie M.
Milstein, Jolie Andler
Minger, Dale
Molesevich, Mary V.
Moore, Elizabeth “Betty”
Moore, Kevin
Morey, Corwin R.
Morrow, Don
Moseley, Janie Angell
Moseley, John J.
Moss, Burton
Mossner, Barbara A.
Motosko, Thomas P.
Moyer, John J.
Murja, Becca
Murja, Nick
Murphy, James T.
Murphy, Nancy A.
Myrick, Kathy
Nagasawa, Nori
Norman, Beth
Norman, Michael
Northern, Janet

List of Convention Attendees - Continued EchoTaps Goes 'Worldwide'
on Armed Forces Day
Olson, Donna
Olson, Elliott
Overmier, Anna Lee
Overmier, William C.
Owens, Tom
Pait, Kelly
Pait, Lindsey
Payne, Ann
Perkowski, Daniel
Perkowski, John
Perkowski, Susan
Perry, Everett M.
Peters, Joseph W.
Phillips, Robert W.
Pruitt, Jean
Pruitt, Judy
Pruskauer, Lee
Pruskauer, Mark
Pruskauer, Steve N.
Rathnam, Caroline
Rathnam, Joe
Real, Gregory
Real, John M.
Reamer, Bernice C.
Reamer, Everett D.
Reuter, Paul W.
Revell, William
Robinson, Susan
Roper, Richard S.
Ropp, Gayle
Ropp, Paul
Rosendahl, Elizabeth
Rosendahl, Robert D.
Ruff, Ruth M.
Sarmiento, Pedro D.
Scandrani, Pat
Schermerhorn, Jim
Schermerhorn, Leona
Schmeisser, Mary Kay
Schnitker, Mackenzie
Schnitker, Nanci
Schultz, Benjamin James
Schultz, Rebecca Farrens
Schurtz, Gerald P.
Seidel, Margaret Kissel
Shaffer, Jeb
Shaffer, Martha Mills
Shively, John
Sho, Sugiura
Shope, Darleen
Sill, Elvin “Pete”
Sill, Regina
Sill, Steven W.
Skelly, Peg
Smith, Derek
Smith, John R.
Smith, Sherry
Spatz, Carol A.
Stahl, Deborah
Stahl, Ruth R.
Stahl, Jr., Robert
Stecklein, Frank C.
Stecklein, Judy
Steele, Benjamin C.
Steele, Rosemarie
Steele, Sean
Steele, Shirley E.
Sutton, Glenda
Szczepanski, Gloria
Szczepanski, Richard A.
Szwabo, Earl M.
Szwabo, Mary E.
Tennant, Dorie
Tenney, Betty
Tenney, Lester I.
Thompson, Jan
Thompson, Patricia A.
Timmons, Richard
Timmons, Sandy
Tokudome, Kinue
Tootle, James
Tootle, Marian
Topping, Dave
Topping, David A.
Trick, Larry
Trick, Lawrence
Trout, Wilma A.
Troy, Dorothy A.
Troy, Helen M.
Turner, Georgia
Turner, Houston E.
Uglow, Margaret
Unger, Joy
Van Skike, Linda
Vater, Helen
Vater, Joseph A.
Vater, Jr., Joseph A.
Versaw, Donald L.
Wallace, George
Wallace, Mary Kay
Wang, Ao
Ward, Alice V.
Warner, Jack D.
Warner, June
Weber, Claire Johnson
Weber, Jessica
Whitehurst, John C.
Wiedhahn, James W.
Wilber, Ruth E.
Willis, Joseph S.
Willis, Paul A.
Willis, Zdenka
Wilson, Jane Tinley
Winter, Richard T.
Winters, Dudley
Witherspoon, Don
Witherspoon,
Hanna R.
Wolf, Chris
Wood, Michael
Wood, Nancy
Blakeslee
Wright, George A.
Wright, James W.
Wright, Ruth
Wright, Viola F.
Zarandi, Eva H.
Zarandi, Kristin D.
Zendejas, Anthony
Zendejas,
Christine R.
Zendejas, Margot L.
Zendejas, Melissa
Zimbler, Shelly
Zimbler, Suzanne
Zobel, James W.
Zubeck, Lin
Brain-Injured Vet’s Wife Asks VA To Provide More Rehab
In a report on a braininjured
Iraq veteran undergoing
intensive rehabilitation
therapy at a
private facility, the San
Antonio Express-News
(5/25, Huddleston) says
his wife “feels the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs
should have more sites
that provide specialized
brain-injury rehabilitation.”
The article notes,
“An appropriations bill
that includes $30 million
for a top-notch VA
polytrauma center that
would provide brain-injury
therapy in San Antonio
is pending in Congress.
‘That would be
good. We need that here,’
Megan Boothby says.
VA Promotes Bugling at Vets' Burials
WASHINGTON -- More than 2,000 volunteer brass
players performed the 24 notes of "Taps" on Saturday,
May 19, Armed Forces Day, at 11 a.m. local time,
at veterans cemeteries and certain U.S. military cemeteries
overseas.
"EchoTaps honors the sacrifices of the American
military and helps to preserve the tradition of a live
bugler playing Taps for the final military honor," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "We also
hope this event will raise awareness of veterans cemeteries
and volunteer opportunities."
Organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) and Bugles Across America, "EchoTaps Worldwide"
will honor veterans at almost all VA national
cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries, National Park
Service cemeteries and four American Battle Monuments
Commission overseas cemeteries. The first
"EchoTaps" was held in May 2005, when 674 brass
players from 30 states lined 42 miles of road between
the Woodlawn and Bath national cemeteries in Elmira
and Bath, N.Y. Cascading "Taps" lasted nearly three
hours from the first note at Woodlawn to the last at
Bath. On Veterans Day 2006, players performed
"EchoTaps" at 52 national and state veterans cemeteries.
The VA has since expanded EchoTaps nationally
and internationally .
Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable,
their spouses and dependent children can be
buried in a national cemetery. Other burial benefits
available for all eligible veterans, regardless of whether
they are buried in a national emetery or a private cemetery,
include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial
Certificate, and a government headstone or marker.
In the midst of the largest cemetery expansion
since the Civil War, VA operates 125 national cemeteries
in 39 states and Puerto Rico, and 33 soldiers' lots
and monument sites. More than three million Americans,
including veterans of every
war and conflict, are buried in VA national cemeteries,
on more than 17,000 acres of land.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained
from national cemetery offices, from the Internet at
http://www.cem.va.gov ,
or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-
1000.
June 2007 -9

‘Commander’s Message’ - continued from page 2
In mid August 1944, I was tortured for 28 days at the main gate
to the camp, then taken to Osaka-Kobe Japanese Army Headquarters
where I was tried. Hand-cuffed and blindfolded, I ended
up at Osaka Sakai Prison and placed in a solitary cell. During
confinement, I nearly died. On August 22, 1945, two Japanese
Army Officers came to release me from solitary, they stated, "The
war is over, we are now friends".
I was then returned to Osaka Camp #1 area. The camp was no
longer there, it had been destroyed by American bombers. I made
my way to Kobe, Japan and joined a few other American and
waited to be rescued.
When the 1st Cavalry came to get us, they evaluated all of us.
I was transported to a Hospital Ship Marigold in Yokohama. On
September 12, 1945, I was taken by ambulance to Atsugi Air Base,
placed on a C-54 hospital plane and flown to Saipan 148th General
Hospital. Then on September 20, 1945, I was flown back to
the States--stopped in Hawaii for refueling and on to Hamilton
Field in Marin County, California and taken by ambulance across
the Golden Gate Bridge to Letterman General in San Francisco.
I was later transferred to Fletcher General Hospital in Ohio.
Shelly & Suzanne Zimbler
90 Fairview Avenue Unit 7-8 Kingston, New York 12401
845 339-9960 shelzanne@aol.com
2007 MUKDEN SURVIVORS GROUP
Twenty- fourth Reunion Kingston, NY, 12401
On behalf of Mayor James Sottile, Shelly & Suzanne Zimbler,
and the citizens of Kingston, New York, we would again like to
welcome the Mukden Survivors' Group and their families. We will
celebrate the 62nd year of your liberation from Mukden, Manchuria.
Many activities are still in the planning stage, but the following
are now in place:
* September 25-30 at the Quality Inn. A special rate of $69.00 +
Tax, per room per night. Please make reservations as soon as possible.
All reservations must be made by August 24th. Registration
will begin promptly on September 25th. Call the Quality Inn at 845
339-3900 or fax 845 339-8464. Be sure to state you are with the
Mukden Survivors’ Group.
* Visit to F.D.R.’s Home and Museum at Hyde Park. Lecture
and Lunch onsite Sept. 27th
* Luncheon and Reception at Ulster County Community College
honoring the Survivors also a seminar with Survivor
partcipation .......Date to be announced
* Day Trip to West Point.......Date to be announced
* A shopping trip to Woodstock for those who would like to
explore this quaint village.
* A trip to the newly opened Purple Heart Museum.
* Banquet Dinner- Saturday evening 29 Sept- Lions Pride Bandfeaturing
Glen Miller's music-
* Albany Airport- We are about an hours drive South (50 miles
to Exit 19)
* Stewart Airport- Also about an hour’s drive North (Exit 19)
* We are about 70 miles North of New York City on the N.Y.
State Thruway
10 - The Quan
On November 11, 1946, I was discharged from the U.S. Army. I
was employed as a maintenance supervisor for National Steel in
Michigan for 16 years; then as a production supervisor for General
Motors in Norwood, OH, for 14 years.
In 1974, I suffered a life-threatening episode (bi-lateral pulmonary
emboli with an infarction) and was forced to retire on disability.
Since my retirement, I have been involved with veterans groups,
including two terms as commander of the Western States Chapter
ADBC, as well as church and civic groups.
Bernice and I have been married over 40 years and we have two
adult children. I have three other children from an earlier 16-year
marriage.
Life is precious and our ADBC members and Descendants are
like family. I will do everything within my power to promote and
preserve our legacy and ideals. Your ideas and suggestions are
always welcome.
Everett Reamer
ADBC Commander, 2007-08
Mukden Survivors Meet Set Sept. 21-30 in Kingston, NY
* Amtrax: Rhinebeck N.Y. is about 15 miles from Kingston.
REGISTRATION: As in the past please bring a gift relative
to your area. A registration fee of $50.00 per person will include
the cost of the banquet, mailing, and Hospitality Room
The banquet will be Saturday, September 29th. Please make
the check payable to Sheldon Zimbler.
Complete the registration form and mail to Shelly Zimbler.
Please indictate your choice of dinner below.
.
.First Name
Last Name
Street / P O Box Number
City State Zip
Phone# ( ____ )_____________
E-Mail __________________________________________
Name of Person(s) attending with you
Please Circle : (Meat) (Chicken) (Fish)

Can You Identify These Convention Attendees?
The above picture was taken in 1951 at the Annual Convention held in Philadelphia. Can you identify the members and their wives at the
table?
Clinics Make Health Care More Accessible to Veterans
WASHINGTON – To bring the
world-class health care of the
Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) closer to where veterans
live, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Jim Nicholson has announced
plans to open 38 new community-based
clinics in 22 states.
The new facilities, called
community-based outpatient
clinics, or CBOCs, will become
operational by October 2008.
Local VA officials will keep communities
and their veterans informed
of milestones in the cre-
ation of the new CBOCs.
VA’s Proposed Sites for New
Outpatient Clinics”
Alabama -- Childersburg
Arkansas -- Pine Bluff
Florida -- Jackson and Putnam
Georgia -- Camden and
Stockbridge
Idaho -- North Idaho
Indiana -- Elkhart County and
Knox
Iowa -- Carroll, Cedar Rapids,
Marshalltown and Shenandoah
Kansas -- Hutchison
Kentucky -- Berea, Daviess and
Grayson County
Maryland -- Andrews Air Force
Base and Ft. Detrick
Michigan -- Alpena County and
Clare County
Missouri -- Branson and
Jefferson City
Montana -- Cut Bank and
Lewistown
Nebraska -- Bellevue
South Carolina -- Aiken and
Spartanburg
South Dakota -- Wagner and
Watertown
Ohio -- Hamilton and Parma
Tennessee -- Hawkins
and Madison
Utah -- Western Salt Lake Valley
Virginia -- Charlottesville
Washington -- Northwest
West Virginia -- Monongalia
June 2007 -11

Veterans Affairs Chief James Nicholson Addresses ABDC Banquet
Mr. Everett Reamer
National Commander
American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor
2301 South Jamaica Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
Dear Commander Reamer:
Congratulations on your election to the post of National Commander
of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor.
The confidence and faith placed in you by your peers are well
deserved. Your leadership will ensure the high standards of service,
patriotism, and devotion to America's veterans.
Please accept my best wishes as you assume your new duties
and responsibilities. I look forward to your advice and counsel as
we work together on behalf of our common missions—the care and
benefits our men and women who have served this great Nation in
uniform so rightfully deserve.
Best wishes for a successful and productive year. ,
Sincerely yours,
R. James Nicholson
National Commander Everett Reamer and Secretary James Nicholson
12 - The Quan
Honorable R. James Nicholson
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave N. W. Washington, D.C. 20420
Dear Secretary Nicholson:
We the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor and P.O.W.'s
throughout the Pacific region during WWII were honored by your
presence at our 62nd national convention on April 16, 2007 at
Herndon, Virginia.
We appreciate your service in the U.S. military and especially
your dedicated service to us veterans of the U.S. military as our
Secretary of Veterans Affairs. You face daunting challenges as did
those before you, but I feel you have the special talent and experience
that enables you to address the problems that veterans face
today.
It was an honor to meet you and your lovely wife and we were
more than impressed with your remarks. Thanks again for your
dedicated service to American veterans.
Sincerely,
Everett D. Reamer,
National Commander
Essay Winners Attend
POW Convention
Two winners of the 2nd essay contest held by US-Japan Dialogue
on POWs, Inc., Jessica Goad of Carleton College and Sho
Sugiura a student at the University of Tokyo, attended the American
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor 2007 Convention held in
Washington DC from April 13 to 16.
They were welcomed by many former POWs and their family
members and recognized during the banquette which was attended
by more than 300 people.
Jessica Goad of Carleton College and Sho Sugiura a student at the
University of Tokyo, Kinue Tokudoma. Anthony Zendejas and Yuka
Ibuki. Photo Courtesy of Kinue Tokudoma

Joe Vater Retires as Quan Editor - continued from page five
was with a group of some 45 men
who were equipped with one
machine gun and a few rifles.
"We weren't trained as infantrymen
and hardly knew even
how to work the machine gun,"
he said. By then it was late January,
1942.
As the Japanese approached,
the group was pulled
back and sent to Corregidor
where they were to rebuild and
extend the runway.
They worked at that while
being bombed regularly and finally
on May 3, they were told
to destroy anything which might
be of use to the Japanese in their
war effort.
At this time everything was
confused; there were few officers
or leaders around. It was all a
mishmash of confusion," Joe
said as he recalled the time. As
they came under heavy fire from
the Japanese infantry, a young
Marine Lieutenant tried to set
up a machine gun emplacement
to mount a defense.That’s when
Joe was wounded by schrapnel
from a hand grenade.
In fear of being overrun, the
small band was pulled back to
an area known as Monkey Point
and from there they were surren-
dered.
They were taken initially back
to the Philippines where they
formed details to collect anything
that could be recycled by the
Japanese for the war effort.
Initially, those who "didn't
give them headaches" were generally
left alone, he said, and not
seriously abused.
On May 24 they were taken
to Bilibid; then four days later
to Cabantuan; then to O'Donnell
which had become a prison
camp.
After several months of being
shifted back and forth, Joe
was taken on October 9th to the
hellship, the Tottori Maru. It was
aboard this vessel that an American
sub barely missed torpedoing
them.
Many Americans died at the
hands of their own countrymen
as the ships were not marked as
“POW” and were fair game for
the Allied forces.
For a month the group was
shuffled around the sea from
GoGo Island and Formosa and
back again before joining a convoy
of November 8 heading for
Puson, Korea.
They were taken by train to
Mukden, the prison built during
They Said About Joe.........
“Without Joe's help and dedication to ADBC, our
organization would not have flourished.”
Everett Reamer, National Commander, 2007-08
"Joe has been the glue that bound the ADBC together,
the patience that allowed us to be ourselves and the inspiration
that keeps us all still working in harmony. We love
you, Joe!"
Fr. Bob Phillips+
“Joe Vater has truly functioned as the "Heart" of the ADBC
for many years as he provided the leadership, and most
of the work, in planning and organizing ADBC Conventions
in addition to serving as Editor of "The QUAN".
the 1812 Japanese-Russian War.
By this time the treatment
was getting worse and they
found themselves in 30 degree
below zero weather.
Despite an issue of heavier
clothing, there was little warmth
and comfort for those being imprisoned
there.
Joe's slavery was in a machine
tool plant constructed by
Ford Motor Company prior to the
war and it produced war machinery
for the Japanese.
Joe concedes that one could
accuse the GI's of doing rather
imperfect work knowing it was
going to build war equipment
and machinery for the enemy.
During the time Joe was enslaved
there he fell from his 225
pounds down to 84 pounds. At
six feet two inches, he was little
more than a skeleton.
By August 1944, the allies
were bombing the area and on
December 7, friendly fire killed
19 GI's when the unmarked POW
camp was hit by bombs.
By August of 1945, the Russians
arrived to liberate the pris-
oners.
Many had died while in captivity
and nearly all were sick and
emaciated.
The liberated prisoners were
taken to the USS Relief Hospital
ship and given much needed
medical treatment and nourishment.
On October 2, they boarded
the USS Bolivar and brought
home.
During a 104-day furlough,
Joe found he didn’t enjoy too
much idle time and he went to
work at his painting trade before
returning to duty and, finally, discharge.
With his $1800 back pay, Joe
bought a new Buick.
After his release, he returned
home and began to court the
woman who was to be his mate
and Helen and Joe were married
on November 27, 1947. .
They have two sons, Joseph
A. Vater, Jr., and Charles; a
daughter, Mary Ellen Zivick; and
six grandchildren.
All live in the Pittsburgh area.
Best regards, John B.Lewis
At times, put out by criticism and lack of help from members,
Joe Vater has been the backbone of the group from
the start !!!!
John H. Oliver Past National Commander
“There is no one person within the ADBC that has toiled
so long, so hard, and so thoroughly for the good of the
organization as JOE has. He has never complained to
anyone as to how much he does or that he never gets any
support. I've known JOE for a number of years. He has
always been ready to utilize new ideas for the good of the
group. I just can't say enough good things in reference to
this man..”
Ralph Levenberg, Past National Commander
June 2007 -13

2007 Convention Photos
Volunteers Judith Heisinger and Anette Bloskis. The
volunteers helped make the convention a rousing
success.
14 - The Quan
Past National Commander Joe Alexander and
Mary Kay Wallace of the ADB&C Museum.
At right, Father Bob at the Memorial Service.
Above long time comrades Houston Turner, Philip Coon and Abie
Abraham at the party.
At left, John Oliver, PNC, at the Philippine Tower of the WW II
Memorial..

Left, Volunteers Caroline
Burkhart and Joan
Mazur during registration.
Right, Earl Szwabo with
FDR at the World War II
Memorial.
Below, Ed Jackfert, PNC; and Harold Bergbower, PNC;
confer while Henrietta Jackfert studies the program for the
next day’s activities.
Left, Ben Steele with
his son, Sean. At
right, Margaret
Seiden shows
materials of her
husband’s. She was
seeking information
on his experiences..
June 2007 - 15

Memorials List
American Defenders of
Bataan and Corregidor
April 10, 2007
Lorelo C. Almazol
James E. Beard, Jr.
Charles B. Black
Robert O. Bowery
Hattie R. Brantley
Charles M. Buckholz
Rudolph Buselmeier
Samuel Chasinov
John M. Connor
Leamon J. DaVault
Hillman Davis
Vie Delacruz
Robert J. Dow
Cleo H. Ely
Clifford G. Flook
Lawrence I. Freeman
Albert L. Fullerton
Robert Garcia
Franklin D. Gross
Jack Guiles
Arthur R. Hage, Jr.
16 - The Quan
Memorials List
The following member have entered final rest since the last conference and
were remembered at the Memorials Service, Monday, April 16, 2007:
Thornton N. Hamby
Jack H. Heinzel
Joseph W. Hough
William F. Jeffries
Clarence S. Kelley
Arthur E. Klingbeil
Jenro Lambaiso
William C. Alford
Baltazar M. Apodaca
Robert J. Bjoring
Gerald C. Blackmer
James T. Boyce W
ayne T. Brouse
John R. Bumgarner
Antonio C. Casanova
Leonard H. Collier
Ramon Z. Corona
H. D. Davis
Oscar C. Dean
Clyde Diekow
Garth G. Dunn
David K. English
Harold Fowler
Alvin L. Fry
Abel A. Garcia
Roy S. Goodson
John L. Guiled
Howard O. Haase
James J. Halsema
Abraham L. Hankin
Richard G. Hibbs
Emil Isaak
Eugene Jones
Terrence S. Kirk
Jesse M. Knowles
James K. Levie
C. R. Lewis
Lance E. Loring
______ MacArthur
Ray L. Makepeace
George E. Markland
Kai Martin
Landys McClamma
Joseph McKusick
Albert Moore
Robert L. O'Brien
Felicisimo Pilola
John Pleus
George H. Reis
James W. Richardson
Jean K. Schmidt
Michael Serra
Norman O. Shire
Arthur E. Singleton
Warren H. Smith
Peter Thomson
Charles C. Underwood
Raymond W. Van Camp
Mariano Villarin
Murray A. Waller
Earl H. Williams
Ted R. Williams
Bennie W. Woodrow
Henry C. Locke, Sr.
Douglas J._________
Joseph Malva
Paul H. Marshall
Norman J. Masterson
Jack McKarson
Joseph Minder
John Nespojohn
Raymond A. Pelkey
Harry W. Pinto
Byron E. Pope
Paulino S. Respicio
VA Recognizes 88,000 During National Volunteer Week
WASHINGTON – More than 88,000 volunteers
at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities
nationwide – who worked 12.5 million hours last
year – were recognized in conjunction with National
Volunteer Week, April 15-21.
"Volunteers are one of VA’s most valuable assets,
sharing the same spirit of compassion and dedication
as our employees in helping our veteran patients,"
said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "The
theme of this year’s volunteer week, ‘Inspire by Example,’
expresses exactly what these volunteers do,
and I hope their example will encourage even more
people to give of their time at local VA facilities helping
those who have defended our nation."
VA has the largest volunteer program in the government
and one of the largest in the country. Using
a formula developed by a coalition representing hundreds
of charities and non-profits, it is estimated that
in 2006, VA would have needed more than 6,000 fulltime
employees to replace the time donated by volunteers.
VA estimates the time volunteered to VA
equates to nearly $225 million annually. In addition,
VA volunteers and their organizations contributed
an estimated $54 million in gifts and donations last
year.
More than 350 national and community organizations
support VA’s Voluntary Service program, organized
in 1946.
Nicholson traveled to Baltimore on Monday to
present the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime
Achievement Award to Clifford Stoffel, a veteran who
contributed more than 4,000 hours of service in the
VA Maryland Health Care System as a volunteer with
the Disabled American Veterans transportation network
at the Glen Burnie, Md., VA Outpatient Clinic.
Nicholson also gave awards to other volunteers who
have served at the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation and
Extended Care Center and regional outpatient clinics.
For several years, President Bush has proclaimed
National Volunteer Week as a time to thank volunteers
for their service and to call the public's attention
to what volunteers can do to improve communities.
National Volunteer Week is sponsored by the
Points of Light Foundation.
For more information on how to volunteer at a VA
facility, contact your local VA hospital or visit
www.va.gov.
Joe L. Sanchez
Otto C. Schwarz
Stokes K. Sheally
Hugh H. Sims
Oscar A. Smith
David R. Spooner
Gerald A. Turner
Ed Underwood
Donald C. V±dal
Raymond E. Wall
Robert J. Welch
Ben F. Williams
Henry S. Winslow
Jerry E. Young
Recent Additions
Raymond W. Meyrick
Lee Davis
Manford H. Doucette
Bernard A. Fields
Julian M. Goodman
Ben Montoya
Elmer A. Morse
Ero Saccone
Richard G. Hibbs
David L. Johnson
Macedonio B. Leyba
Simme Pickman
Joan Kennedy Schmidt
Roger E. Tiefenbach
Arthur E. Klingbell
Gerald L.Wakefield
Thomas E. Hamby
Jack H. Heinzel
Richard G. Hibbs
Clause R. Lewis
Bernard A. Fields

The 62nd National Convention of the American Defenders of
Bataan and Corregidor, was an outstanding event and the Widow's
and Angel's Luncheon, on Sunday, April 15, was wonderful. Unfortunately,
the one nurse, Floramund Fellmeth Difford, who has represented
the nurses at the luncheon, for the past few years, was unable
to attend. We wish her the best and sincerely hope she can
make the convention next year in Louisville, Kentucky.
Twenty-five widows and ten daughters and guests, and special
guests Father Robert Phillips, John Emerick and our guest speaker,
for a total of 38, enjoyed a delicious lunch and much camaraderie.
Father Robert Phillips gave the Blessing and John Emerick, a Past
Commander of ADBC and the person responsible for starting the
Widow's ~~ Luncheon, years ago, recited the poem "Freedom is Not
Free".
Our guest speaker was Roger Mansell, a professional researcher
who, since his retirement in 1995, has devoted much of his time to
finding what happened to the POW's who were interned by the
Japanese during World War n. He kept us laughing at the humor he
GUESTS
John M. Emerick
Rev. Robert Phillips
Roger Mansell,
WIDOWS
Valeda Andler
Widow of: Maxwell Andler
Anette Bloskis
Widow of: Charles T. Bloskis
Julia Brittan
Widow of: Lewis H. Brittan
Lora Cummins
ADBC Widow's And Angel's Luncheon
62nd National Convention Crown Plaza-dulles Airport
Cecelia C. Ayers
Widow of: Howard Ayers
Mary Bosko
Widow of: Nickolas Bosko
Elizabeth Brownewell
Widow of: John Brownwell
Mary R. Curley
Widow of: Kenneth Curley
Marlene Ellis Ford
Widow of: James Paul Ford
Dolores J. Haburne
Widow of: Ferron E. CumminsWidow
of: James D. Haburne
GlendaM. Elliott
Mary A, Jaggers
Widow of: Lewis H. Elliott Widow of: William Jaggers
Herndon, Virginia Sunday, 16 April 2007
injected throughout the speech, which included some of his life
experiences and his experiences doing research. Roger Mansell
has an extra large amount of data, which he has well documented
and catalogued. He will share the information with anyone who
has an interest or needs the information. He is continuously expanding
the data, in fact, following the convention he spent a few
extra day, and I quote, "diving for documents" at the National
Archives.
The decision to let the Descendants take over the organization
in two years, is an excellent idea. The few who do most of the
work, and there is a lot of work for a group as large as ADBC, are
getting older and need a rest. I have been assured that there will
be no changes in the Widow's Luncheon; however, I feel there
should be a few changes, primarily hi the way we make reservations
and try to keep track of the attendants. But, we will address
that later.
Start making plans to attend the 63rd Annual ADBC Convention
in Louisville, Kentucky, now. I'll see you there.
Lora Cummins
Pauline Mefford
Widow of: Homer Mefford
Mary Oleksa 977 Woodlawn
Widow of: John Oleksa
Mary Kay Schmeisser
Widow of: Curtis Schmeisser
Wilma A. Trout
Widow of: Ira Trout
Alice Ward
Widow of: Joseph A. Ward
Judith Heisinger
Widow of: Duane L. Heisinger
Martha Lowman
Widow of: Leon Lowman
Charlie M. Mills
Widow of: Loyd E. Mills
JeanPruitt
Widow of: Charles Pruitt
Patricia "Pat" Thompson
Widow of: "C.A. Red/
Tommy" Thompson
Dorothy Troy
Widow of: William G. Troy
Ruth Wilber
Widow of (Ted) O. Wilber
Viola "Brocky" Wright
Widow of: William R. Wright
June 2007 - 17

David L, Johnson
Pearl, MS - David L. Johnson, 82, died April
26, 2007, at his residence. Visitation and a
memorial service was held at Baldwin-Lee
Funeral Home in Pearl.
M r . Johnson was a former Marine who
joined the service during WW II at the age
of 15. He was taken prisoner at age 17 in the
Philippines and was held in a Japanese prisoner
of war camp for 3 years. He was a member
of theVeterans of ForeignWars and the
Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors include: his wife: Ruth L.
Johnson of Pearl; step-son: Bruce Jenkins
of Brandon; stepdaughter Charlene Burrage
and her husband Walter of Pearl; sister:
Catherine Elbrader of Abilene, TX; grandchildren;
Mary Ann Roper; Melanie Carr
and Bruce Jenkins, Jr.; 7 great grandchildren;
nieces Debra Myers of Pearl and
Donna Maxwell of Abilene, TX.
Ben Montoya
Ben Montoya, born March 17, 1920, in Taos,
NM, to Jose Vidal and Zoraida Vigii
Montoya. Our loving husband, father and
grandfather passed away March 16, 2007 at
Laurel Heights, one day short of his 87th
birthday. He was preceded in death by son
Benjamin Montoya; sisters Lydia, Celia and
Claudina; brothers Ernesto, Eli, Jose and
Rudolpho; and step-daughter Jeanene
Cottrill. He is survived by his wife of 30
years, Mary E. O'Kelley Montoya; son
Ruben Montoya and wife Patty; two daughters
Dorothy Sisneros and husband Arthur,
and Rita Montoya; granddaughter/daughter
Kelsie Cottrill. Only surviving brother
Horacio Montoya and wife, Loyola. Former
wife Rumalda Montoya, mother of his children,
residing in Arlington, TX. And last,
but not least, his K9 friend, Pearl. Surviving
grandchildren are Jeffery Avilai and wife
Rose, Christopher Avila, Robert M.
Montoya and Angela M. Montoya. Surviving
great grandchildren are Dilon and Mikel
Avila. Surviving step grandchildren and
greatgrandchildren are Nathan Banac and
wife Elizabeth, PFC Michael Cottrill Jr., currently
on active duty US Army in Iraq, wife
Jamie, Christopher Cottrill, Aaron, Ethan,
Miranda, Ashley and Whitney.
18 - The Quan
He is also survived by numerous nieces,
nephews, and brother, and sister-in-laws.
His military service included the 200th CA
mobilized for active duty on January 6, 1941,
and his unit landed in Philippine Islands on
September 20, 1941, and fought until captured
during the fall of Bataan with his
brother Horacio, also an ex-POW. His military
decorations and citations include
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished
Unit Citation, American Defense Ribbon,
WWII Victory Medal, American Theater
Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific
Theater Ribbon, Philippine Defense
Ribbon, Liberation of Philippines (awarded
by the Philippine Army) and the American
Ex-Prisoners of War Medal. Visitation was
held on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at French
Mortuary.
A Prayer Service was held on Wednesday,
March 21, at Second Presbyterian
Church, Rev. Robert B. Woodruff officiating.
Pallbearers were Victor Montoya,
Adrian lontoya, Jeffery Avila, Christopher
Avila, Rob-rt M. Montoya, and Arthur
Sisneros. Intermentwas in Santa Fe National
Cemetery. Special thanks to the staff of Laurel
Heights Healthcare and Amber Care
Hospice for their devoted care to Ben.
Macedonio B. Leyba
Macedonio B. Leyba, 89, loving husband,
father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather,
went to be with our Lord on March 17, 2007.
He was born on September 12,1917 to
Anastatic and Luciana Leyba in Fierro, NM
and raised in Deming, NM. Macedonio was
a survivor of the Bataan Death March and
an ex-POW of World War II in Japan. He
retired from the VA Hospital and was a life
member of the VFW and DAV and American
Defenders of Battaan and Corregidor.
He was a hard working, humble man, and a
'die hard' "CUBS" fan.
Macedonio is survived by his wife, Eulalia
Leyba; children: Andy and Joan Leyba, Cecil
and Leticia Crespin, Yolanda and Majid
Teymoori, Ray Leyba, Rudy and Sheila
Leyba; 12 grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday
from 2 - 4 p.m. at Garcia Mortuary
Chapel. A Rosary was to be recited at the
Garcia Chapel Wednesday with Mass of
Christian Burial to be celebrated Thursday
a at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment
was to be at the Santa Fe National
Cemetery.
Simme Pickman
Pickman, Simme—Age 88, of Norton, formerly
of Marblehead entered into rest
March 17, 2007. Beloved husband of the
late Berniece (Weiner); Devoted father of
Marcia Berenson and her husband Martin,
and Alan Pickman and his wife Jan Gura.
Loving brother, of the late Annie Potash,
Ina Siegel, and Isadore Pickman. cherished
grandfather of Andrew Berenson and
his wife Anne. Jill Berenson, Sarah, Benjamin
rnin, and Max Pickman. Services were
at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel 75 Washington
St.. Canton, Monday, March 19
2007. Memorial Observance was held at the
home of Marcia and Martin Berenson following
interment In lieu of flowers donations
in memory of Simme may be made to
Aid for Cancer Research, P.O. Box 376,
Newton Centre, MA O2459 or a charity of
one's choice. Simme was a United States
Army Veteran serving in World WarII. He
was a survivor of the Bataan Death March
and was a Japanese POW.
Jean Kennedy Schmidt,
“Angel of Bataan”
Jean Kennedy Schmidt, one the last survivors
of the "Angels of Bataan," the American
military nurses who were Japanese prisoners
of war for nearly three years during
World War II, has died. She was 88.
Schmidt, a retired Army nurse, died
March 3. 2007, at her longtime home in La
Canada Flintridge of complications related
to a fall, said Susan Johnson, her daughter.
The nurses stationed in the Philippines
became the first large group of US women
sent into combat, according to Elizabeth M.
Norman, who documented their story in the
1999 book "We Band of Angels."
Within hours of the Dec. 7,1941, attack
on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese bombed
American bases in the Philippines. Until
then, few of the 99 Army and Navy nurses
stationed there had served in war condi

Deceased - continued
tions, and they "found themselves almost
overwhelmed by slaughter," Norman wrote.
Trapped on the Bataan Peninsula, they
established operational hospitals with
open-air wards in the dense jungle to help
care for the retreating American forces.
"Our nurses' training taught us to improvise
and to be innovative, and that came
in very handy on Bataan," Schmidt said in
*No Time for Fear," a 1996 book of remembrances
by World War II nurses.
When Bataan fell to the Japanese in
April 1942, the nurses "were ordered to
leave our patients behind" and go to
Corregidor, an island in the mouth of Manila
Bay, Schmidt said in the book.
On the island, they set up a hospital in
an underground maze of tunnels and cared
for the wounded despite almost nonstop
shelling.
Because some nurses were evacuated
just before the fall of Corregidor in May 1942,
"we always thought we'd be going also,
until the Japanese came into the tunnel,"
Schmidt recounted in "No Time for Fear."
Before the Japanese took them prisoner,
the nurses wanted to leave a record in case
they were never heard from again. They
ripped a square of cloth from a bedsheet
and signed it the day of their surrender, May
6,1942.
Taken by boat to the Santo Tomas internment
camp in Manila, the nurses refused
the tea offered "because we thought they
were trying to poison us," Schmidt recalled
in the book.
Despite being racked with disease and
injury, the remaining 77 nurses continued
to practice, treating military and civilian prisoners
in the camp.
By early 1945, many of the nurses suffered
from malnutrition, losing an average
of 32 pounds apiece.
"We heard a lot of rumors about the
Americans coming for us but were still surprised
when they did come," Schmidt said
in "No Time for Fear." "1 had begun to feel
that the Americans thought we weren't
worth saving, and to look at how scrawny
we were, we probably weren't."
Liberated when an American tank
crashed through the camp's main gate in
February 1945, all of the nurses safely returned
to the U.S.
Three are believed to still be alive, ac-
cording to Norman.
Imogene Kennedy was born Oct.
13,1918, in Philadelphia, MS., and grew up
on a farm with seven siblings. Four brothers
who served in the war also came back
alive. .
Lee Davis
Lee Davis, died Oct 28, 2006—the birthday
of his late wife Eleanor who preceded him in
death 11 months and six weeks shy of their
60th anniversary. They married Jan 1, 1946;
upon his return to the USA after three years
as captive of the Japanese Imperial Army.
Soon after they had two children, Mike (now
in PA.) and Ron (in N.C.), and a stillborn
daughter. One grandchild lives near where
Lee and Eleanor had courted and wed.
He was born September 24, 1917, in San
Franciso, CA, and spent the main part of
his early life in and about Prescott, AZ., in
circumstances seemingly already breeding
a survivor. Cowboying, wildcat mining, a
stint in the CCC antedated enlistment in the
Army Air Corps September 1940. He proceeded
from California to the Philippines
upon the S.S. Holbrook, via Hawaii, on (what
proved) the eve of Pacific hostilities. Davis
was an alumnus (Ml-5) of the bombing of
Clark, the retreat to Bataan, the S.S. Mayon,
Bugo, Malaybalay, Davao; Cabanatuan, Bilibid,
Oryoku/Enoura/Brazil Maru; Moji, Japan,
and Inchon, Korea. He retired from the
Army a MSgt in 1964 (after stations at
Olmstead, Holloman, Chateaureux, Moulins,
Chanute, Harlingen, Ramstein, & Reese-
-save the French--AFBs).
A longstanding member (until it folded)
of the Myerstown, PA, American Legion
Post, with a term as its commander.('67-8).
He and Eleanor also in the latter '60s
began going to P.O.W. reunions/conventions,
at various locations before discovering
and settling exclusively at Fontana Village,
N.C., attending steadily through '92
when health coupled with age called to halt.
Col. Jack H. Heinzel, USAF, Ret.
Jack H. Heinzel, 93, a retired Air Force colonel,
died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007.
He was born in El Paso, where he attended
the Texas College of Mines & He
joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and upon
completing his flight training was assigned
as pilot on a B-17 aircraft and made the first
mass B-17 flight to Luzon, Philippines, in
1941. Upon withdrawal of American forces
to Peninsula, he became engineering officer
at one of the airfields. He became a Japanese
POW at the fall of Bataan.
He survived the Bataan Death March
and the Japanese "hell ship" Oryoku which
was sunk by friendly fire from the USS Hornet
aircraft carrier. He survived and was
placed on the Enora Maru which was torpedoed.
He was then placed on the Brazil Maru.
He was liberated at Mukden, Manchuria,
after 3 1/2 years as a POW. Upon his return
to the U.S., he was assigned to the Strategic
Air Command until his retirement
Col. Heinzel came to Brevard County, FL,
in 1991 from Fort Worth, TX.
Survivors: Include his wife, Winifred
Heinzel; and a niece, Nancy Mattinson.
Arthur E Klingbeil
Arthur E Klingbeil, age 86, of Edina,MN
died on February 7, 2007. He was preceded
in death by wife of 54 years, Bette, and a
son, Chad.
He is survived by Moya and her son
Patrick; 12 nieces and nephews; 2 cousins
and many other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday,
February 12, 2007, at the Church of Christ
the King, 5029 Zenith Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Visitation held Sunday at Gill Brothers Funeral
Chapel, also one hour prior to Mass at
Church. Interment was to be in Ft. Snelling
National Cemetery, Tuesday.In lieu of flowers,
memorials preferred to donor's choice.
Obituaries and
Death Notices
may be sent to:
The Quan
P O Box 591
Wellsburg, WV
26070
19 - The Quan

Deceased - continued
Rogger Evart Tiefenbach
By Elizabeth Fitzsimons Staff Writer
In the den of Margaret Tiefenbach's
home in El Cajon sits an aluminum bowl, no
bigger than a cereal bowl, that holds the
record of her husband's life as a prisoner of
war 60 years ago.
In a descending swirl, Rogger Evart
Tiefenbach used a file he kept hidden in his
shoe to etch important dates and events on
the bowl after he was captured by the Japanese
during World War II.
"That was his diary and his connection
to the real world," said son-in-law Robert
Kapaska. Years later, it would become a symbol
of his survival, a relic he shared with the
students whose classes he visited.
Mr. Tiefenbach's three-year, four-month
imprisonment forever changed him,
Kapaska said. Material objects meant little.
He found joy in life's simple pleasures: seeing
the sun rise and set, sharing a meal with
his family.
"He ate well. There was always food in
the house. And his favorite thing was going
out to have a meal with the family,"
Kapaska said.
Mr. Tiefenbach, a retired naval officer
and longtime NAS-SCO employee, died
March 22 from complications associated
with a rare form of leukemia. He was 87.
Diagnosed in 2003, Mr. Tiefenbach was
told by his doctors that the leukemia may
have resulted from his naval service during
Operation Hardtack I, the U.S. government's
testing of atomic bombs in the Pacific in
1958.
The eldest of seven children, Mr.
Tiefenbach was born on April 9, 1918, in St.
Joseph, Mich.
Mr. Tiefenbach attended school up to
the eighth grade. As a teenager, he cared
for his younger siblings and cooked the
family's meals. In his free time, he would
search the nearby woods for bottles to turn
in for pennies he'd save for important purchases,
such as a bicycle.
In 1938, Mr. Tiefenbach went to Detroit
to enlist in the Navy. But he was turned
away for being three pounds underweight.
Determined to enter the service, Mr.
Tiefenbach gobbled down three pounds of
bananas and some sardines and went back
to the recruiting office later that day. He was
weighed again, and this time he met the re-
20 - The Quan
quirement.
As a machinist's mate, Mr. Tiefenbach
was sent to the Pacific. It was on his 24th
birthday, April 9, 1942, that Bataan fell to
the Japanese.
The crew of Mr. Tiefenbach's submarine
tender, the Canopus, scuttled the vessel and
escaped to Corregidor Island, known as The
Rock. The men held out until May 6,1942,
when they surrendered to the Japanese.
Mr. Tiefenbach would be moved from
one camp to the next until his release in Japan
in September 1945.
While a prisoner, Mr. Tiefenbach found
an aluminum mess bowl, and he began etching
a diary into the metal with a file he kept
hidden in his shoe.
Mr. Tiefenbach later told his family that
he made it day to day by simply doing what
he was told and never arguing with his captors.
If he was eating, he would concentrate
on eating. If he was working, he would focus
on that.
"That's what he did to survive the war,"
said Kapaska, who is writing a book about
Mr. Tiefenbach.
"He saw many of his fellow POWs Just
give up. They lost hope and that's when
everything would go down from there."
Mr. Tiefenbach never harbored any anger
toward the Japanese after his release.
"All the time he ever talked about them,
he said it was war. But he did tell me if he
ever was to be captured again, he would
run," Margaret Tiefenbach said.
After his release, Mr. Tiefenbach returned
to Michigan. In 1946, he married
Elizabeth Balos. The couple raised three
children while Mr. Tiefenbach continued his
22-year career in the Navy, stationed in San
Diego and Honolulu.
Mr. Tiefenbach retired from the Navy in
1959 as a chief warrant officer. He joined
National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., or
NASSCO, in the early 1960s and worked
there until his retirement in 1983.
Elizabeth Tiefenbach died of pancreatic
cancer in 1972. Mr. Tiefenbach had cared
for his ailing wife for seven years, his family
said.
Not long after his wife's death, he met
Margaret Hudson. The couple married, and
Mr. Tiefenbach adopted Margaret's daughter.
The Tiefenbachs were married for 33
years.
After his retirement, the Tiefenbachs
bought a motor home and spent four years
touring the country.
Back home in El Cajon, Mr. Tiefenbach
spent his free time attending Padres games.
Recently, he had been speaking to East
County schools about the war and his time
as a POW.
Stories that he shared on Web sites
helped the families of deceased sailors learn
about their loved ones' last days and the
circumstances of their deaths.
In one case, a woman from Virginia asked
Mr. Tiefenbach whether he knew her
brother. Not only did he know the man, the
two were best friends - bunkmates who took
liberty together and spent their off-dufr
hours playing the game acey deucey.
Mr. Tiefenbach was able to tell the
woman about her brother's last months and
how he died, bringing closure to her family,
Kapaska said.
Mr. Tiefenbach is survived by his wife,
Margaret Tiefenbach; sons, Richard
Tiefenbach of San Diego and Stephen
Tiefenbach of Oceanside; daughters, Suzie
McDonald of Anza and Patti Kapaska of El
Cajon; stepsons, Jim Howland and Donald
Howland of San Diego; and numerous
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Tiefenbach was to be be given full
military honors at Fort Rosecrans National
Cemetery.
Gerald Lee Wakefield
Gerald Lee Wakefield, the son of Arthur
and Theresa (Schreiner) Wakefield was born
on March 28,1920, in Litch-field, Minnesota.
He was baptized at the First Presbyterian
Church in Litchfield and confirmed at
Ostmark Lutheran Church. Gerald graduated
from Litchfield High School in 1940. On June
21,1947 he was united in marriage to Donna
Johnson at Ostmark Lutheran Church. Together
they lived in Forest City Township.
In 1940 Gerald enlisted in the Army. In 1942,
he was stationed in the Philippines, on
Corregidor Island, and became a Japanese
prisoner of war for 3 1/2 years. Gerald was a
member of Ostmark Lutheran Church, and a
life member of the D.A.V, American Legion,
V.F.W., the Cooties, P.O.W. M.I.A. and
QUAN. He enjoyed visiting, fishing, gardening
and spending time with his family

Deceased - continued
and friends.
Gerald is survived by his wife Donna of
Litchfield; children Rebecca (and John)
Breene of Cadott, WI, Priscilla (and Bruce)
Mumford of Forest City Township, and
Jameson (and Stacia) Wakefield of Buffalo,
MN; 7 grandchildren Sarah Piepenburg,
Aaron (and Becky) Mumford, Brian (and
Sonya) Mumford, Elisabeth Mumford, Alec
Wakefield, Braden Wakefield and Brock
Wakefield; great grandson Atticus
Mumford; sister-in-law Helen Wakefield of
rural Watkins; and numerous nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his
parents Arthur and Theresa; and brotehrs
Bruce and Willis.
Thornton Estill Hamby
Thornton Estill Hamby, 85, of Lubbock
passed away Thursday, Nov. 23,2006.
He was born Nov. 29, 1920 in Megargel,
TX to Harrell and Georgia Hamby. He graduated
from Seymour High School in 1939 and
attended Byrnes Commercial College and
School of Commerce.
Mr. Hamby served in the US Marines in
World War n between 1940 and 1946 and
was a prisoner of war in the Philippines and
Japan. He received two Purple Hearts for
two separate injuries. Mr. Hamby married
Ara Lina Parker on Feb. 9,1946 in Seymour.
She preceded him in death on Sept. 3,1967.
He later married Betty Arlee Yates on May
26,1972 in Fort Worth. He retired from the
Quality Assurance Specialist for the Defense
Dept. in 1981 and moved from Big
Spring to Lubbock that same year. Mr.
Hamby was a member of the American Legion,
the DAV and the American Ex-
Prisoner's of War, and was instrumental in
setting up Chapters of American Exprisoner's
of War across Texas. He was also
a member of the Colonial Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife. Betty Arlee
Hamby; sons, Robert Kevin Hamby and
wife, Teri of Lakeway, James Stephen Yates
and wife, Dora of Idalou; daughter, Nikki
Cieminski and husband, Frank; stepdaughter,
Debrah Sue Tumlinson and husband,
Charles of Grand Prairie; four grandchildren;
three great-grandchildren; and eight step
great grandchildren; brother, Kay Hamby
of Edmund, Oklahoma; and sister, Rebecca
Lou Young of Lubbock. Mr. Hamby is also
preceded in death by his parents; a son,
Gary Wayne Hamby; and a stepson, Timothy
Paul Yates.
The family received friends Sunday,
Nov. 26, 2006 at the funeral home. Services
were held Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at Colonial
Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Dodd and
Rev. Danny Willis officiating. Interment
followed in Becton Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorials be
sent to the Colonial Baptist Church 2102
49th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79412 and the
Hub of the Plains Chapter, American Ex-
POW, P.O. Box 3904, Lubbock, Texas 79452.
Ero (Ben) Saccone,
C.W.O.4 U.S. Army
Modesto, CA - Ero (Ben) Saccone was born
March 3, 1912 and passed away on Feb. 16,
2007 at the age of 94. He was a long time
resident of Salinas before moving to Fresno.
He was the First Sergeant of 123 men in
Company C, 194th Tank Battalion sent to
battle in the Philippines. After being ordered
to surrender, he and his men began the infamous
Bataan Death March and was MIA-
POW for over 3 years. Only 47 men returned.
After the war he eventually became
the Chief Admitting Officer at the prestigious
Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington,
D.C. It was there that he met President
Eisenhower, Premier of the U.S.S.R.
Nikita Khrushchev, Prime Minister Winston
Churchill and many others.
After spending 30 years in the military he
retired and became active in Veterans affairs
seeking and obtaining long overdue
decorations and benefits for his fellow soldiers.
He held state and national positions
with the DAV. His 20 medals include the
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, U.S. Presidential
Unit Citation with 2 oak leaf clusters. In 1981
he was named California Disabled American
Veteran of the Year. He was Salinas Veteran
of the year in 1997 and has also been
Monterey County Veteran of the Year.
Ben is survived daughter Jeanette
Alburn; grandson Vince Bertoni, his wife
Linda and their three children; grandson
Michael Saccone and family; Jeff Saccone
and family; sister-in-law Rosa Saccone;
brother Ed Van Cleave and sister Veta Deiss.
He was preceded in death by his wife,
Beatrice, son Eugene, daughter Patricia and
brother Julius.
He died peacefully at his grandson's
home with the help of hospice. In lieu of
flowers, remembrances can be sent to St.
Agnes Hospice, P. O. Box 27350, Fresno,
California 93729-9804.
Visitation was held Wednesday, February
21, 2007 at Healey Mortuary. A funeral
service was held Thursday, February 22,
2007 at Healey Mortuary Chapel in Salinas.
June 2007 -21

Deceased - continued
Doctor Richard G. Hibbs
SHREVEPORT, LA - Doctor Richard G.
Hibbs, 85 years old, died at home on Monday
February 26, 2007. A Funeral Mass will
be offered at 10 AM on Saturday, March 3,
2007 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic
Church in Shreveport. Rev. Rothell Price and
Rev. Thomas, assisted by Deacon Clary
Nash will officiate.
Dr. Hibbs was a native of Winner, South
Dakota and a resident of New Orleans, LA
for 20 years and of Shreveport, LA for the
past 32 years. He served in the United States
Marine Corps during World War II. He was
a Survivor of the Bataan Death March in
the Philippines and a Prisoner of War of the
Japanese for 3 and a half years.
He received many military awards, including
the Bronze Star and the Purple
Heart.
In 1955, after receiving a Ph.D. in
Anatomy, he accepted a faculty position at
Tulane University School of Medicine in
New Orleans, LA. In 1975, he accepted a
position at Louisiana State University
School of Medicine in Shreveport, LA as
Chairman of the Anatomy Department,
where he remained until his retirement in
1987.
Dr. Hibbs was preceded in death by his
wife of 60 years, Dorothy T. Hibbs, his
daughter, Linda Hibbs Ebbesson, his parents,
one brother and one sister. He is survived
by his son, Richard G. Hibbs, Jr. and
Claude Raymond Lewis -"Ray"
Claude Raymond Lewis died December 26,
2006
Ray was born February 17, 1917, in
Nipomo, CA and spent most of his childhood
in the Newhall area. He lost his mother,
a teacher, when he was nine; and his father,
a contractor, when he was thirteen. He and
his two sisters lived with various relatives
and friends. He graduated Fresno High
School in 1937. He then worked a series of
jobs, and also served with the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) and the California
National Guard.
Ray enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in
1939 and took training as a radioman. He
was sent first to Pearl Harbor, then Shanghai,
China, and the Philippines. There he
22 - The Quan
was stationed on Corregidor, then Bataan,
where after the surrender he was captured
and endured the infamous Bataan Death
March. He was in three camps in the Philippines
and then was transferred to Japan,
where he was forced labor in Osaka's shipyard,
then later in a mine at Akenobe, in the
mountains.
Following his release, he left the Corps
briefly, but returned to it and finished out
20 years of service, some in Japan and
Okinawa. He ended his military career as an
Informational Services Officer with the rank
of Captain.
In December 1946 Ray married Kathleen
"Kay" Kelly. They had three sons, Scott,
Craig and Keith. All became educators.
After military retirement in 1958 the family
returned to Hawaii. There Ray worked in
the advertising department of The Honolulu
Advertiser and the Hawaii Newspaper
He also did volunteer work with several
groups, focusing on the elderly. After his
second retirement the family moved to Albuquerque
NM, where he continued with
volunteer work for various organizations
before moving to Whidbey Island in Puget
Sound, WA.
On December 14th Ray fell and broke
his hip. He was making a good recovery,
when he had a massive stroke and did not
survive. He will be missed by all who knew
and loved him.
"In memory" suggestions: Heifer International;
Oxfam America; Habitat for Humanity;
The Mona Foundation; American
Red Cross; The United Way; or your choice.
Bernard A. "Kenny" Fields, PNC
Bernard A. "Kenny" Fields, 84, a member
of St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church,
passed away December 13, 2005, in Louisville,
KY. He was born on May 14,1921, in
St. Johns, KY. to Joseph W. and Marie Singer
Fields. A veteran of WWII, Bernard was
captured by the Japanese, survived the
Bataan Death March, and was forced into
slave labor for 3 l/2 years. After his release
as a prisoner of war, he was discharged from
the US Army and re-enlisted in the US Air
Force.
He had been awarded several ribbons
with bronze stars and medals during his
service including: W-2 Victory, Distinguished
Unit, Good Conduct, Purple Heart,
American Defense, Asiatic Pacific Campaign,
Philippine Presidential Unit, and Philippine
Defense. He was a lifetime member
of AXPOW, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled
American Veterans and the American
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor in
which he served as a National Officer. Over
time, he helped several veterans obtain information
concerning available benefits.
He is survived by his second wife,
Delma, a daughter, Lisa Sturgill, a granddaughter,
Allison, 3 stepchildren and 4 step
grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first
wife, Elouise, a daughter, Janice Fields, his
parents and siblings.
(Written by stepdaughter, Connie
Hatcher)
** As Bernie's second family for just a
few years, we didn't know accurate information
about all of his awards and commendations
so it took quite a while to investigate
in order to honor him properly. We appreciate
all military personnel, past and
present My heart goes out to all Prisoners
of War / Ex-POWs and their families.
Manford H. Doucette
SEABROOK, N.H.—Manford H. Doucette,
85, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at Haven
Health Center-Seacoast in Hampton.
He was born in Graniteville, Mass, on
Aug. 26,1921, son of the late John and Rachel
(Perkins) Doucette, and was a 1939 graduate
of the Lowell Technical School.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps
in 1940 and was stationed as an airplane
and engine mechanic at Nichols Field in the
Philippines, where he was a technical sergeant.
His base was overrun by the Japanese
in 1941 and he was held prisoner of
war for 3-and-a-half years by the Japanese
after surviving the Bataan Death March.
Among his awards, he was the recipient of
the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.
Mr. Doucette worked as a truck engine
mechanic for Hertz in Boston for 35 years.
He had resided many years in Seabrook,
and for over 25 years took annual winter
vacations to Live Oak, FL. He was a member
of Trinity United Church in Seabrook
and the Raymond E. Walton American Legion
Post #70.
Family members include his wife of
nearly 60 years, Gardina E. (Randall)

Deceased - continued
Doucette of Seabrook; his brother, Morris
Doucette of Dracut; and several nieces and
nephews.
Services were held at Trinity United
Church, Lafayette Road, Seabrook . Spring
interment were to be held in the Hillside
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made to the charity of one's choice. A
Julien M. Goodman, MD, FACS
Dr. Julien "Jay" Goodman, 93, passed away
peacefully July 6, 2006. He was 93 years old.
Julien was born January 1, 1913 in Cleveland,
OH. He obtained his medical degree
from Ohio State University Medical School
in 1937. Dr. Jay served in the Army during
World War II. In April 1942 he was captured
during the fall of Bataan. He spent the next
42 months until September 1945 as a prisoner
of war in the Philippines and in Japan.
In 1972 he memorialized his prisoner of
war experiences in his book
"M.D.P.O.W."
In 1947 he married his partner for life
Margaret M. Wolfe.
In 1955 Dr. Jay and his family moved to
Castro Valley where he set up his medical
practice in general surgery. Over the next
30 years he dedicated himself to his patients,
the medical profession and his community.
He was Certified by the American
Board of Surgery in 1955. He served as an
instructor in Surgical anatomy at the University
of California in San Francisco.
He volunteered as Surgical Consultant
to Student Health Services for California
State University, Hayward. At Eden Hospital
in Castro Valley he served as President
of the Medical Staff and Chief of Surgery.
He was elected to three terms to the Eden
Township Hospital Board of Directors. Dr.
Jay also served as President of the Medial
Staff at Laurel Grove Hospital, and President
of the Medical Staff and Chief of Surgery
at Highland Hospital in Oakland.
In 1975, Dr. Goodman was elected President
of the Alameda - Contra Costa Medical
Association. He also served as Editor
and Editor Emeritus of the Alameda - Contra
Costa medical Association's "Bulletin".
Dr. Jay served as a Commissioner for the
State of California Board of Medial Quality
Assurance and the Medical Review Committee.
He was an inspector for the California
Medical Association Commission on
Accreditation of Hospitals. He was a found-
ing member of the American Trauma Society.
He was a Fellow of the American College
of Surgeons, and the Southwestern
Surgical Congress. He was a member of the
San Francisco Surgical Society, East Bay
Surgical Society, Pan Pacific Surgical Association,
and the California Academy of
Medicine.
Dr. Jay also served Castro Valley
on numerous community and charitable
organizations, including the Castro Valley
Municipal Advisory Committee and the
Castro Valley library Advisory Committee.
He was a member of the Alameda County
One Hundred Club.
He loved to sail, travel and go salmon
fishing. In his later years he became an avid
golfer. He lived a full and complete life. He
was the personal physician to many and a
trusted friend to even more.
He was predeceased by Margaret, his
devoted wife of 51 years. He is survived by
his son Larry, his daughter in law Patty and
his randdaughter Katie.
At Dr. Jay's request no services were
held. Donations may be made in his memory
to the Eden Hospital Foundation or the charity
of your choice.
Arthur Locke
Mr. Arthur J. "Bud" Locke, (Capt. US
Air Force Ret.), 91, a lifelong Hooksett resident,
May 4, 2007, at the Veterans Administration
Medical Center in Manchester after
a lengthy illness.
Born in Hooksett, NH, on August 3, 1915,
Mr. Locke was the son of Alpheus and Lena
(Carbee) Locke and a descendant of
Ebenezer Lock of Deering, who is reputed
to have fired the "shot heard 'round the
world" at the Battle of Lexington.
After graduating from Concord High
School, Mr. Locke joined the US Army in
1934. He served with the 15th Infantry Regiment,
the "Can Do" Regiment, in the China
Expeditions.
In October 1941 he was transferred to
Clark Air Field in Manila in the Philippines
and was Staff Sergeant there when the Japanese
bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th.
After the surrender of Bataan, he was
taken prisoner of war, suffered and survived
the infamous Bataan Death March and was
transported to Japan, where he worked as a
stevedore and laborer in Kobe until August
9,1945. Kobe House P.O.W. No. 13, which
he published in 1998, is Mr. Locke's personal
account of his experiences as a Japanese
prisoner of war,
Mr. Locke retired from the Air Force in
1961, having been awarded the Bronze Star,
the Purple Heart, and the POW Medal. He
was a member of the Merrill Follansbee
American Legion Post #37 in Hooksett, the
American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor,
and the VFW. He had also served as
Director of the American Ex-Prisoners of War,
NH Chapter #1. An expert rifleman, he was a
member of the NRA.
After his retirement from the military, Mr.
Locke earned his Associates Degree in 1978
from the Vocational Technical Institute in
Manchester and his BA from UNH,
Manchester campus.
He worked for RCA and Westinghouse
as a field engineer; was employed by
Rustrak-Gulton Industries in Manchester,
and was a research librarian at the Hooksett
Library. In addition, Mr. Locke volunteered
at the Veterans Administration Medical Center
Nursing Home.
He also participated in state and local
affairs, serving four terms in the New Hampshire
Legislature and on the Board of the
Hooksett Water Precinct.
He enjoyed reading, stamp and coin collecting,
genealogy, model railroading, travel,
photography, archery, square dancing, and
hiking the NH mountains. He also taught
foreign languages and considered himself
a lifelong student of American and World
History.
He was the widower of Lorraine
(Cochrane) Locke, who died in 2005 and to
whom he had been married 60 years. He is
survived by two daughters, Linda Locke
Parkin and Sandra Locke Ingalls; 6 grandchildren,
Julie Dore Bernath, Ben Locke
Ingalls,Michael Bowling, Aubrey Ingalls,
Sarah Heddy; and Jonathan Ingalls; and
several great grandchildren.
He was buried with military honors at
the NH State Veterans Cemetery Boscawen.
June 2007 -23

Young Award Winner Meets POW Held at Cabanatuan
Collin Gaus, son of Karla and Police Lt. Gary Gaus of Wheeling (WV)
displays his model of the Japanese prison camp, Cabanatuan which
was the subject of the motion picture, The Great Raid. Collin is shown at
right with Abie Abraham of Butler, PA, one of the 510 prisoners released
when the Army's 6th Ranger Batallion raided the camp in an amazingly
bold incursion which resulted in the death of numerous Japanese guards
and took place only a few kilometers from a Japanese garrison of more
than 3,000 veteran Imperial Japanese Army regulars. Collin, a 7th
grader at St.Vincent School in Wheeling, won first place in a regional
competition and advances to the state competition.
The Movie was based upon the book "The Ghost Soldiers" by Hamption
Sides. Photo Courtesy of the ABD&C Museum)
Wheeling (WV) Youth is Inspired by Reading of The Great Raid; Does Research at ABD&C Museum
By George Wallace
When Abie Abraham of Butler, PA, passed through Wellsburg
after the ABD&C Convention in Washington, DC, he was met by an
area youth who knew all about Abie and the survivors of the Death
March and Hellships.
Collin Gaus, son of Karla and Wheeling Police Lt. Gary Gaus,
was prepared with his prize winning model and display of the Japanese
prison camp in which Abraham was held. The camp was the
subject of the motion picture, "The Great Raid."
Collin, a 7th grade student of St. Vincent School in Wheeling
constructed the model and display as a social studies competition.
Entered in the regional level competition, it won first place. He will
be entered in the state competition with students from 6th through
8th grades.
The project consisted of a research paper, an oral exam and question
and answer session with the judges.
Reading in the newspaper about the large World War II POW
collection at the Brooke County Public Library, Collin did his research
in the ABD&C Museum there.
His interest in the prison camp Cabantuan resulted from his reading
of the book, “The Ghost Soldiers” by Hampton Sides. The book
tells of the audascious raid by the 6th Army Rangers on the Japanese-held
prison in which 510 Allied captives were being held.
Collin was able to meet Abraham of Butler, PA, who survived the
infamous Bataan Death March and authored two books on his experiences,
"Ghost of Bataan Speaks"and "Oh, God, Where are You?"
The Palm Beach Post
(FL) (5/28, O’Meilia,
159K) reported, “Walter
Fox calls himself the
‘Last of the Mohicans.’
At 77, he’s outlived two
wives and the rest of his
relatives. So when his
balance got so bad that
he no longer could get up
and down the stairs to
his second-story Cen-
24 - The Quan
tury Village condo, he
was stuck. Then a friend
and the Cresthaven East
assisted living facility
discovered he qualified
for a little-known Veterans
Affairs program
called Aid and Attendance
that can help wartime
veterans who require
in-home care or live in
nursing homes or as-
sisted living facilities and
whose health costs eat
deeply into their income.”
The Post continued,
“A 2004 U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs
study found that only
one-fourth of the estimated
2 million veterans
who probably are eligible
for the program are
enrolled.” Margaret
Much of Abraham's memorabelia, inlcuding a Japanese surrender
sword, are on display at the museum.
His first place win on the Diocesan (regional) level sends him to
the state competition where he will compete with 6th, 7th and 8th
grade levels.
The ABD&C Museum was established in 2002 when Wellsburg
native and "Hell Ship" survivor Ed Jackfert and his wife Henrietta
donated his entire collection of related materials and momentoes.
Jackfert is a founder and life member of the American Defenders
of Bataan and Corregidor and two-time past National Commander.
The Brooke County Public Library under the direction of Board
Chairman John Cole of Bethany and Director Mary Kay Wallace,
has invested heavily in display cases and is in the process of
digitizing the entire collection with financial support from private
donations and the ABD&C.
Following reports on the local repository in the Quan a large
number of similar collections of souveniers, momentoeas, photos
and documents are being donated by members and descendents
from all over the country.
The influx of such precious materials has made the Brooke
County Library the steward of one of the largest displays of such
materials in the world, according to Wallace.
Plans are under way for the construction of a new, separate
facility to house the museum which is dedicated exclusively to
those who were prisoners of war held by the Japanese.
Nicholson Launches Outreach Campaign In December.
Macklin, St Petersburg
VA regional headquarters
spokeswoman: “We are
trying to do significant
outreach.” The Post continued,
“That effort is at
the order of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Jim
Nicholson, who announced
a campaign in
December to get the
word out. That seems to
run counter to the VA’s
efforts to reduce costs,
including the 2003 benefit
changes that made it
more difficult for vets
with no service-related
disabilities to qualify for
health care and prescriptions.”

VA Physician Wins
Government Service Award
Dr. Julia A. Golier,
medical director of the
Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder Clinic at The
Bronx, NY, VA Medical
Center, is winner of the
New York Federal Executive
Board's 2007 Distinguished
Government
Service Award.
A Bronx VA employee
has won the award for
four consecutive years,
every year since its initiation.
Dr. Golier’s winning
nomination included
this excerpt: “Informed
by her clinical research
studies and
hands-on experience as
a medical doctor serving
the veterans of the first
Gulf War almost two decades
ago, Dr. Julia
Golier’s central thesis is
that early and sustained
treatment of veterans
provides the best hope
that they can be cured
rather than maintained
on drugs, psycho-
Nicholson Counters Critic
On VA Health Care.
Newspapers publishing
Secretary Nicholson’s
response to a McClatchy
article include the Miami
Herald (5/14, 286K).
Nicholson writes, “Re
the May 10 story VA gets
mixed record on aftercare:
The historic transformation
of the Department
of Veterans Affairs’
healthcare system has
been lauded by the
healthcare industry, professional
journals, members
of Congress, the media,
foreign governments
and veterans them-
therapy or a combination
thereof indefinitely. Motivated
to make this a reality
for veterans at the
Bronx/JJP VAMC, she
procured independent
funding outside of the
normal budget process
for program enhancement.
These enhancements
have allowed her
and her team to implement
a variety of effective,
specialized treatments
that have been
made available in time to
address more fully the
mental health needs of
our returning war veterans
from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dr. Golier and
her team have effectively
eliminated treatment delays,
increased overall
clinical capacity, and improved
treatment outcomes
of veterans suffering
from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorders”
selves.... The story
makes a valid case that
we need to be more careful
with our numbers and
public statements, but it
does not challenge the
basic truth about VA that
our healthcare is a constant
and shining emblem
of how to reform a
system for excellence.”
The McClatchy (5/10,
Adams) article cited in
the Secretary’s letter
charged that VA has “habitually
exaggerated its
record” and “inflat[ed]
its achievements.”
America’s Shame - An Editorial
Following the 2006 Conference in Pheonix, AZ, guest George Wallace of
Wellsburg, WV, returned to his home where he penned his frustration at the
unresponsiveness of his America to bring justice to the POW’s . He was asked to
read the editorial at the 2007 Convention Banquet. It follows:
I love my America. I thrill to the
flag; choke to the anthem and tear up
at TAPs.
Like father before and son to follow,
I served her with pride.
But now I am ashamed of her.
America would never leave a comrade
on the field of battle.
But she did.
Not once.
Not twice.
But three times.
With lies and false promises we
abandoned them first to the invading
hordes of the sons of the Rising Sun
who saw cruelty as sport and the lives
of Americans valueless.
And after nearly four months of resistance,
armed with only guts and
shovels and meager equipment; and
precious few weapons of war, we surrendered
them to the sadistic culture
of captors which gave no respect. And
which made sick and starving slaves
of them in the mines and factories and
hell-hole camps of the Philippine Islands;
Japan and throughout Asia.
Unaware of the fate of their sons
and brothers, the embattled giant sleeping
melting pot of America reared itself
from its lethargy and on the sweat and
outrage of working men and women
began to build and feed a war machine.
The machine was nourished by
flesh and bone and lubricated by blood
and it grew and and became powerful
and began to stop, then reverse the
course of cataclysmic world war.
Finally, the enemy was vanquished.
For its atrocities and unimaginable
actions and for economic and diplomatic
purposes, Japan was forgiven.
There’s no need to apologize or
compensate for years at hard labor and
sickness and disease and cruel treatment.
“America will take care of its own,”
was the second betrayal; the second
false promise.
Then for decades, as America and
Americans danced the WalMart waltz
of growing
consumerism,
we were
led like blind
sheep down
the path of
denial and
ignorance
while the returned
heroes raised faint voice of protest.
They asked only for justice; an elusive
and lost concept to those who had
abandoned them.
Thus began and continued the third
abandonment as leaders squandered
trillions of dollars, much of it on agendas
of their own. In this instance, those
many leaders in this case are not worthy
of breathing the same air and walking
the same earth as those betrayed
heroes.
“Can’t offend our partners,“ they
said. “Wait long enough and they’ll all
die and their voices will fade away.”
And dying away they are at an accelerating
rate. Their voices becoming
few and their claims fading.
Can you hear them now?
I love my America,
I thrill to the flag, choke to the anthem
and tear up at TAPs.
Like father before and, son to follow,
I served her with pride.
But now I am ashamed of her.
I am ashamed of myself and of you,
my fellow Americans, for we too have
let them down. But for some there is
still time and I will raise my voice so
long as I am able to tell their story.
At least I can do that much to ease
my shame.
June 2007 -25

Youth’s Prize Winning Play Draws Standing Ovation at Convention
FIfteen-year- old Anthony Zendejas of Bremerton WA, echoes
the words of Frank Bridget, held along with hundreds of captured
GI’s in the bowels of the hellship Oryoko Maru.
“Looking up to top of ladder ... ‘This could get me killed but I
need to take this stand.’
"Wada- San I’m coming up to speak with you Wada- San. The
lack of air is killing men down here. We will all die if you don’t do
something immediately. Let us put the worst cases on deck for a
while, so that they may revive themselves and we need water
Wada- San, water. Yes Wada San. (Bow head) Thank you."
Essay, Play Becomes Family Project
With only minimal props and bringing to life the long gone
words of those who were there, young Anthony Zendejas of
Bremerton, WA, presented a pwoerful an d emotional 15-minute
drama which received a standing ovation from those attending the
National Convention in Washington.
Ay popular request, the play was enacted two more times durng
the gathering of members of ABD&C and descendents.
Accompanied by his mother Margot and two sisters, Christina
and Melissa made the cross country trip to pay tribute to the POW’s.
What started as an academic competition project became a rare
tribute by a young man and his family.
Anthony’s patriotism is understandeable. His parents served
their country in the United States Navy and they became a major
part of the project.
The riveting story is best told in the words of Margot Zendejas
which follows.
Here is an update on the convention and the way Anthony
became a POW.
We were so well received. We had no idea what to expect at the
convention. It was comforting to fly across the country, meet
strangers and then realize they were actually like family members
we never knew we had.
Our community of Bremerton Washington and surrounding
counties heard all about Anthony's desire to go to D.C. to meet the
men he portrays in his play, and perform his play as a tribute to
them. He told the reporters about it. They asked him what he needed
to get there. He said $2000. Eventually Anthony was given $4000.
After he raised his goal, I kept telling people that we had raised
enough, but any amount above this would go toward another family
member joining him. That is how Christina and Melissa were
able to join him. This was our community's way of saying, "We
thank you for your service, honor you and we remember your suffering."
All four reporters have been intrigued by something. They have
seen something in Anthony when he talks about the POWs' struggle
for survival. He gets this look in his eyes. I'd like to take you back
to when Anthony first met Captain Prince and spent three hours
with him.
He was able to get into the type of man and personality Captain
Prince was; a determined, yet humble leader. When it came time to
portray Captain Prince, Anthony didn't have any problems. Then,
26- The Quan
when he got the POW's side of the story, he struggled to really
connect with their suffering. He said, "Mama, I got Captain Prince
down but I can't get that look of the POWs I've seen in the books
I've read." He wanted our help. He wanted to pretend to be a POW.
We all got involved including me, my husband Tony, and all six of
our children. Our youngest was five years old at the time.
Over a three-day weekend we turned our home into a POW
camp. Anthony put up photos of emaciated, starved and beaten
POWs around the house. He kept a bowl of moldy rice by his side.
He ate dried rice kernels. He went without sleep. Tony made a CD
with war sounds, gun fire, and bombs. He played this during the
night. Tony pretended to be the prison guard. He isolated Anthony
from the family and made Anthony bow to him. Our other children
were the Philippino civilians. They had to try and find ways to sneek
Anthony food without being caught or play tricks behind Tony's
back to make Anthony laugh. Then on the last day of the mock
POW experience we all marched three miles in the rain. We celebrated
being rescued with a big dinner.
The reporter asked how did going through that help Anthony.
He said "It wasn't much compared to the 60 - 70 miles of the Bataan
Death March and three years of torture the POWs endured, but it
gave me a taste of what they went through. It gave me a better
understanding of their suffering. It put the pain in my eyes." When
it was time to be photographed for the article,they asked Anthony
to put on his costume. When he did, you could see his face change.
He sat down on the steps outside, and the photographer started
snapping shots . . . "click, click, click, click. O.K. Good Anthony.
You can smile now . . . click, click. We are almost done . . . click, click.
NO, Really, (she puts the camera down and looks at him and
says) . . . You can smile now, . . . you're starting to scare me." Anthony
comes out of character and smiles a huge little boy smile.
Click, and a sigh of relief from the photographer.
When Anthony performed on Friday, we could feel the silence
from the audience. I was crying like everyone else. The scope of
actually doing this for those that lived it is still almost too incredible
to believe. Anthony knows now more than ever what patriotism is.
Continued on Next Page - Anthony’s Play

Anthony’s Play - Continued
He met true patriots and was honored to stand in their presence
and be accepted by them. He was able to interview a dozen former
POWs. He was given books and copies of records of their war time
experiences. He has also been receiving books and letters in the
mail since we have been home.
What stood out to my daughters was the love that was shown
to them by the wives, and widows. The women would talk to them
and share how much Anthony brought their husbands suffering to
life. I think what Anthony has done is put flesh on the POW's
story. Here he is a fifteen and a half year old gangly boy who
discovers that a couple of these men were already on the Bataan
Death March at his age. We hve touched history and have been
forever changed by our xperience. I feel like he has become their
ambassador.
Anthony will be performing on Memorial Day and for two
events on Veterans Day. He will continue to build on his presentation
and would like to share with you all again. He will also be
developing a culminating project that he will present his senior
year.
My husband, Tony adds this. "The whole point is to get people
to have a reminder of what the POWs went through. That's the real
compelling story. It is not just a performance. Anthony wants people
to hear, see, and feel what the POWs went through during that time
and never forget. Because of Anthony, our community has been
awakened to the Far East POW struggle. Thank you for giving our
family an opportunity to help keep your story and our history
alive."
VA’s Earth Day Celebration Pays Dividends
The Augusta, Ga., VA Medical Center’s Earth Day celebration in
April is still paying dividends to employees and the environment.
Twenty compact fluorescent lights were won by employees on
Earth Day and that means 9,000 pounds of greenhouse emissions
will not be generated through the coming year. An Augusta VA
physician asked about obtaining waste cooking oil and worked
out an agreement to buy it from the Veterans Canteen Service to
power his two specially adapted, environment-friendly cars. The
doctor will use 800 gallons of “waste” cooking oil over the coming
year that will not have to be disposed of by Augusta’s Veterans
Canteen Service.
Credits
Photos by George Wallace and courtesy
of various contributors including:
Chris Wolf, Jody Heisinger Kopach, Lora Cummins
Proofreading - Joe Vater, Mary Kay Wallace. Henrietta
Jackfert, Sandra Loar, and others.
Printing by Typecraft Press
Mailing by Direct Mail Services
Also Thanks for the free clip-art to the Just A
Touch Art Studio of Jonesboro, GA;
www.justatouch.com
Dedicated Exclusively to ADB&C
World Class Museum Plans Advance;
Site Selection Gets Under Way
The plans for a new Museum dedicated solely and exclusively
to the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor took another
step forward recently as a steering committee was initiated and a
site selection search was launched, according to Mary Kay Wallace,
director of the new venture.
"There are many wonderful World War II museums but this is
the only one in the world to be totally dedicated to the members of
the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor."
Wallace and her husband, George, attended the 2006 and 2007
conventions and the proposal to make the Museum in Wellsburg,
WV, the official repository for the membership was officially
adopted. Both have become dedicated supporters of the membership
and the descendents and have taken over publication of the
Quan.
George Wallace, a newspaper publisher in Brooke County, delivered
his editorial, "America's Shame" at the convention banquet.
(A reprint can be found on page 25 of this issue.)
The Museum came about when Wellsburg resident Ed Jackfert
and his wife Henrietta donated Jackfert's huge collection of documents,
photos, maps, and other materials to the Brooke County
Public Library. Large display cases were constructed and a dedication
ceremony on September 13, 2002, was attended by the Jackferts,
Joe and Helen Vater, the late Harold Finer, and his daughter, Laurice,
Eugene Wei, Kineu Tokudoma and a large number of area dignitaries
and residents.
The story of the ceremony was printed in the Quan and a large
number of ABD&C Members responded by sending in their own
materials and information.
"We found that many of the POW's had accumulated a large
amount of information on their history and experiences and were
pleased to find a location where they will be lovingly and professionally
cataloged, maintained and displayed." said Mrs. Wallace.
"In many cases where the POW had passed on, their descendents
didn't know what to do with their precious memorabilia."
Finally, she said, "they knew who would care for them and
preserve their integrity.
The museum is to be the American Defenders of Bataan and
Corregidor Museum and it will be a world class facility, said George
Wallace. We are ideally located between a number of major interstate
highways; close to the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Capital fund raising firms are to be consulted and it is anticipated
that the new facility will require raising three to five million
dollars.
In addition to private solicitation for tax deductible contributions
for those with the most interest, public funds will also be
sought from the state and federal governments.
The Museum is viewed as a focal point for factual information
relative to the POWs' experiences and is to be dedicated to keeping
the stories - and the POWs - alive in perpetuity.
June 2007 -27

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