Autobiography of Bishop D. McKendree
As printed in the first volume of the
History of the ADBC published by
the Turner Publishing Co.



    Bishop D. McKendree, born in Vega, Texas, December 28, 1919.   Sailed from San Francisco aboard USAT Republic on April 1, 1941.   Arrived at Ft Mills, Corregidor, P.I., April 22, 1941.   Assigned to Btry. I, 60th Coast Artillery (A.A.) and trained as anti-aircraft machine gunner.   War started in the Phillipines on the same day that Pearl Harbor was attacked.   After intense aerial and artillery bombardment during the period from Dec 29, 1941 to May 6, 1942, the Japanese established a beachhead and Corregidor was surrendered on May 6, 1942.

    After being held in a small beach area (92nd Garage Area) on Corregidor for three weeks, most of the personnel were evacuated from Corregidor. American personnel were moved to Cabanatuan Camp #3. Arrived there on May 28, 1942. Transferred to Cabanatuan Camp #1 on Oct 21, 1942. Moved to Las Pinas near Manila on Sept 19, 1943. Loaded on Hell Ship Haro Maru on Oct 1, 1944. Unloaded on Formosa (Taiwan) Nov 8, 1944. Left Formosa on Melbourne Maru on Jan 14, 1945. Arrived at Prison Camp Odati, Japan, on Jan 29, 1945. Returned to American control on Sept 11, 1945. Discharged at Ft Sam Houston on June 6, 1946 with rank of sergeant.

    Graduated from The University of Texas with a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering in Feb, 1952. Married Beverly Jean Biery on June 7, 1952. We have one son and two daughters. Retired from the Oil and Gas Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas on May 31, 1987.

    Decorations received were: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and various campaign medals and presidential unit citations.


      My book is
      "Barbed Wire and Rice: Poems from Japanese Prison Camp"
      Collected by B. D. McKendree


      The book is available in paperback ($14+shipping and handling) from:
      Cornell East Asia Program
      140 Uris Hall
      Ithaca, NY 14853-7601
      Phone: (607)255-6222

      or, for an autographed copy, send $14 + $1.50 for shipping to:

      B.D. McKendree
      4808 West Frances Pl.
      Austin, TX 78731


      My daughter has a website with information about my book.
      Click here to Log-on

      B. D. McKendree