9 October 2000
    A question from Ralph Walden                 SEE UPDATE BELOW


    Four men of my battery, Ft. Drum, were executed by firing squad soon after we arrived at Cabanatuan Camp # 3.

    They were captured 3 days after they had escaped, beat up on for a couple of days, then stood in their individual graves and shot.   Firing squad consisted of eight men and one officer.   This was in full view of the camp just behind the rice pots at the evening meal.

    I would like to verify their names as two were friends.   I wonder if the bodies remain there...

    Please send Email if you have knowledge of this.
    Ralph W. Walden
    Ft. Drum, Battery E, 59th CAC
    Rwwalden11@cs.com




    Don Versaw   leroyver@altavista.com
    (4th Marine and WebTeam Member)
    has answer to identity of the Fort Drum Martyrs:

      William R. Benson   19048556
      Hugh E. Welman   15065609
      Fred L. Lee   18014480
      The fourth man is either
      Charles B. Jordan   17014320  or
      Wesley E. Jordan   18014490


    Source of information:
    "Never Plan Tomorrow" by Joe Petak, pg 52

    Thank you Don!!