Harrison donovan Note: John F. Donavan died in March 2005
John F. Donovan's Biographical Sketch


A little of my background.   I arrived in the P.I. on the last Naval transport, the USS Henderson in Sept or Oct. 1941.   I was assigned to Patrol Wing Ten, Utility unit.


After the war broke out I was assigned to Corregidor and than to USS Fisheries II.   When Bataan fell we went to Corregidor and were sunk and swam into Corregidor.


After the surrender I was first in Cabanatuan Camp 3.   Sent on work detail to Ft McKinley and work at Nielson field.   Got wet beri-beri and was sent to Bilibid and than to Cabanatuan Camp 1, then to Los Pinues to build an airfield.   After U.S. planes attacked we were put on the hell ships and sent to Japan.   So many ships were sunk we laid over in Hong Kong and than went to Formosa.   As soon as we were again in good enough shape we were put on another ship and sent to Japan.


I was assigned to a Lead and Zinc mine outside of Sendai, Japan.  After the war was over we were liberated by Rangers on 12 Sept. 1945.   I stayed in the Navy and retired 19 April 1960.


John F. Donovan