Joseph H. Via's Account of His Military Life
(Right photo, Angel Island, 1941)
Arrived in Manila Bay, Philippines, on July 1941. Assigned as a coast artillery gunner (608) to Battery C (Wheeler), Fort Mills, Corregidor Island. When Corregidor surrendered the morning of May 6, 1942, what was left of Battery C was at the East End of Malinta Tunnel as the next reserve deployed to defend against the Japanese. Ordered to destroy all weapons, I was captured here. Moved to 92nd Garage area until end of May. Shipped to Manila where the Japanese marched us to the length of Dewey Blvd., about 10 miles to Old Bilibid Prison. This march I believe was on a Sunday and was to humiliate us in front of Filipinos who were out and about. The Japs were surprised and angered when most people wanted to help us with any food and water. Most of these people also paid the price. Beatings and the bayoneting of soldiers and civilians are what I remember on this march. It was at Bilibid where we received our first ration of rice since our capture.
The next day packed into small-gauge railway cars and moved to the town of Cabanatuan. Three men try to escape, they are executed, no food issued again, marching again. Marched what seems like another 10 miles to what would be Cabanatuan Camp #1. Worked at and watched many people die over next 6 months, surviving mainly on a thin soupy rice mixture we called "Lugou". We would scrounge for anything, wild vegetables, dog, etc. to add nutrition without getting caught by Jap guards. Burial details were a daily routine.
In December 1942, went on detail to Lipa in Batangas Province to help build an airstrip. In June 1943, after suffering from diphtheria and beriberi, I can only remember the doctor who saved my life as giving me a shot and hand feeding milk, rice & sugar. To him, I owe my life.
After a few months, was sent to Lipa. And in March 1944, with our planes now a regular site, Lipa was closed. Our fear now was would we be executed before we could be liberated. Moved to Camp Murphy or Murphy Field outside Manila, to rebuild another airfield. In September we were trucked to Bilibid Prison and were added to a group of British and Dutch that came in from a ship sunk by a submarine.
October, we moved to docks in Manila, loaded on an unmarked coal freighter we named the "Benjo
Maru". This was a name given because no name was recognized. The actual name we now know, is the Haro Maru.
October 1944 arrived in Hong Kong Harbor, B-24 or B-26's made low-level bomb run-never touched us-great site to see. Dodging submarines, we arrived in Formosa October 1944. Harvested sugar cane. In January 1945 we received instructions to prepare for another move. Arrived Japan late January 1945, and it was snowing with about a foot on the ground. Finished the war at a camp next to Sendai on North Honshu mining lead and zinc for Mitsubishi. By the end of August, all guards disappeared In August 1945, B-29's dropped 55 gallon drums welded together filled with food, clothes and medicines. Being dropped with single chutes, with their weight, didn't hold. Breaking and falling and killing two men. In September 1945, liberated by a signal corp. camera crew. With my wife of 53 years Susan, we have 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Any questions please feel free to contact me. All information above is based on current memory.
P.S. As a personal belief, General MacAuther departed on the submarine with the gold. Does anyone have a similar belief or confirmation? Time is running out to set the record straight!
Sincerely,
JOSEPH H. VIA (Deceased on 06/10/2003)
SPIRIT CORREGIDOR
After being sent to Corregidor a place both bright and white,
We waited for an enemy and our plight.
This enemy would come as the daily sun in the sky,
When we heard Bataan surrendered we asked how and why.
Bombs and artillery pounded then day and night,
And of all the nightmares none could imagine such fright.
Word of tanks on the "Rock" and talk of surrender in the air,
Smashing weapons, with tears in eye, no man could bear.
And thoughts of the almighty coming to the rescue now washing away,
Total chaos and confusion now control the day.
The day's survival was now at the hands of an enemy,
Who's only thought in mind was put us on our knees.
Beatings regular, starvation the norm,
As they distributed us for detail, we weathered only part of the storm.
Followed by the death camps at Bilibid and Cabanatuan,
What transported us between was itself a death-train, is what we were on.
At a place called Lipa, rumors of liberation were about,
Only due to Navy planes dropping bombs would we shout.
Get the Sons a Bitches and just give us a bout,
Soon we would board, a "Hell Ship" we would call,
Our Navy would put them and us, almost up against a wall.
Not all would survive, but my luck for now would hold,
To a harbor and Formosa, our captors were certainly bold.
Held on the island to harvest some cane,
We were soon on our way in a direct shipping lane.
Soon in Japan where that sun would soon set,
Taken by train and by foot as far as they could get.
At Sendai we would dig both lead and zinc,
For a company called Mitsubishi, or so we think.
Again the end we know is near,
When all Jap guards just took off, just disappeared.
Supplies were dropped in mass from the air,
Two packages too weighty broke with despair.
Fall as they did into the buildings or shelters,
More damage they did with deaths of two fellows.
With that, our liberation did finally come,
I as well as others will not forget the bright Philippine sun.
Men fought and died, but I for one,
Would be proud to say we never really were outdone.
For our spirit was like that of no other,
But without supply this fight would be for another.
And now our government does forget I do think,
But remember this all, we were a drop in a very big sink.
A call to arms we would serve,
If again needed I would go, without flinching a nerve.
Dedicated to my father Cpl. Joseph H. Via, who served from
1941-1942 with Battery C (Wheeler) 59th Coast Artillery
Fort Mills, Corregidor, Philippine Islands.
Joseph H. Via, II
May 11, 1998