I was so moved by the testimony of the survivors who took part in the programme.   What an appalling, outrageous episode in Japanese history it was.   And what an astonishing and heartbreaking time for America and the its allies.   The brave men who died and the amazing men who survived fought and suffered not only for America but for their brethren in Europe and it is therefore not only American history books that need to be rewritten but ours too.

Since the recognition of conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, survivors of more recent conflicts have, quite rightly, been helped to come to terms with the psychological aftermath of war and its attendant horrors.   No such luxury for the heroes of Bataan.   I can hardly begin to imagine the challenges that adjusting to normal life must have presented.   I am in awe of the courage and strength of character of the survivors, and I honour the contribution made by their loved ones in helping them, even though some must have fallen by the wayside in the attempt.

I offer my most humble thanks for the sacrifices made by the veterans of Bataan, living and dead, sacrifices made for your countrymen and for mine.  I practise no religion but believe me these people and their families - you - will be in my thoughts for the rest of my days.

Congratulations on an excellent website.

Elizabeth Walker
Chelmsford, England
ethizabel@hotmail.com

I have enormous respect for all the men of those battles and the prisoners that endured so much, I pray for all of them and just wish to say they will never be forgotten.

I feel very lucky with my life and wish to thank those brave men."

Yours Sincerely,
Matt Taylor
Grandson of a WWII navigator on Lancaster's and Wellington bombers.
Click to send eMail

Thank you for the link and for your kind note.  I was very moved by your web site.  My grandfather, Nazario E. Perez, was among those who survived the Bataan Death March.   I wrote about it in this column:

FDR's Forgotten Promise to Filipino War Veterans

Very best,
Michelle Malkin
Syndicated columnist

Michelle is also the author of "We Won  -  Japan Lost"

I am the youngest brother of Charles E. Matlack, 803rd. Engineers who fought on Bataan and died at Cabanataun in 1942.

Interested in visiting with anyone who might have known him.

Dale D. Matlack
Boise, ID
E-Mail: dmatlack@micron.net

My father is Capt. (retired rank) Honorio V. Aurelio, Phil. Scouts attached with the US 45th Inf. Reg., now 91 years old and in retirement in the Philippines.   He was stationed at Fort Wm. Mckinley.   He fought in Bataan as well as his father, Sixto V. Aurelio, who died there.   He is also a survivor of the Bataan Death March and was confined at Camp O'Donnel.

He seldom talked about his experiences and any info or old photos, references to memorabilia of those days will be greatly appreciated. Celso F. Aurelio
E-Mail: celso.aurelio@scbdesign.com

PS -
Just browsing through this site makes one greatly appreciate the sacrifices of our battling bastards of Bataan.   For our part, my son and I participated last year in the 26.2 mile Bataan Death March Memorial at White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico. He finished.   I did 10 miles, but it was all worth it.

My father, Jerry A. Craven, RMC,USN (deceased) was also a defender of Bataan and Corregidor. I have been trying write about my dad and find your website a real benefit and support.

Thanks so much!
Susan A. Craven
E-Mail: cravenlegacy@sunvalley.net

I was very impressed with the workmanship of the website.   Considering the people you are working for, those Veterans, you had excellent reason to put forth your very best efforts.   You have succeeded.

How can one say thank you to people who are gone?   Who gave all they had?   How I wish we all celebrated Veteran's Day by hugging each and every one, and thanking them over and over for their sacrifice.

God bless you all.
Patty Saladin
Umatilla, Florida
E-Mail: pb538@aol.com

My father was a casualty of the Oryoku Maru.

Adolph H. Giesecke
Dallas, Texas
E-Mail: agiese@mednet.swmed.edu

After reading the stories told by members of your page, I am going to start a drive to never buy Jap made goods ever again.   I tend bar at a local lodge and meet many people every day.   I don't think enough people know the HELL you guys went though.   They will now.

Together with help, We are going to have the bridge in Waterville, PA dedicated in the MEMORY of Michael Frederick Wolf who died on the Hellship ORYOKU MARU on Dec. 15th, 1944.   The dedication will be on April 28th, 2001.

Larry E. Harris
Montoursville,PA 17754
E-Mail: leharris@mail.uplink.net

Hello;  my father was Clifton "Tim" Cockrell, 200th CAC.   Survived the Bataan Death March and spent 3 and a half years as a POW in Japan.

I really enjoy this website very much.   This is one of the neatest websites I've seen.   Thank you for your time and keep up the good work.

John Clifton Cockrell
Anson, Texas
E-Mail:   JCockr8852@aol.com

I am the grand-daughter of Alvin Anthony Andrews who was a Japanese POW in WWII.   I want to know where he was sent, or if anyone knew him.   I saw a program on the History Channel about the Bataan Death March and I wondered if my grandpa was there.   I have read some of the letters from his friends that my grandmother saved, they broke my heart.   What those men went through for us to have freedom is never matched.   They have my utmost respect.

Ashley D. Andrews
Clarksville, TN
Thrashley1@Hotmail.com

I am so happy to have found your website.   It has provided me with the name of the ship on which my uncle was killed -- the Arisan Maru.

I have also found a number of contacts to whom I have sent e-mails.  Perhaps they will be able to provide me with more information.

Thank you, and God bless you!
Lorene Olsen Bowles
Cleveland, Ohio
E-Mail: wateringwheels@aol.com

God Bless Each of You.
Jim Grant
Cassville, MO
jim&kat@mail.com

You are all such heroes to me.
Thank you,
Holly Prior
Bakersfield, CA
Buffy2222@aol.com

COL Joseph A. Roszkowski (Ret)
Yorktown, VA
papa06@whro.net

James J. Bollich
Lafayette, LA
jambol@eatel.net

Gene Wooten
Olivehurst, CA
genewooten@jps.net

Thank you.   God Bless America and all of her Heros, both living and dead.

Alexander Gorr
Rochelle,Il. (originally Maywood, Il.)
mrgorr@rochelle.net

I have read Eric Morris' book Corregidor but it has only been in the past few years I've become engrossed in the lives of those who went through that experience.   As survivors become fewer, so then there must be those like myself who are determined to keep alive their story.

I currently live on Ft. Monroe, VA, where at one time the Coast Artillery taught principles of using the armament that was used so defiantly on the "Rock" and its close islands.   What I wouldn't give to personally man a 12-inch Mortar just to sense a little of that time.   All that remains here are mortar pits that are close by my residence, but I am trying to volunteer in preserving them.   Fortunately there are videos shown at the museum that give a firing demonstration from the 1930's.   I guess I consider myself a Coast Artillery buff as well as being reverent to those on Corregidor.   Being a Civil War re-enactor I pay close attention to soldier life and try to understand the soldier experience.

I appreciate very well what the survivors have to say and the way they say it.   I would like to communicate with those in the organization, always with the respect they deserve. I would gladly offer any help possible in contributing to the goals of ADBC;  I look to you (the members) for guidance.

Remembering Corregidor,
I am Sincerely Yours,
William Burks   Staff Sergeant, VaARNG
E-Mail: burksw@VA-ARNG.NGB.ARMY.MIL

I can be reached from the following address:
SSG William Burks
444-C Rose Circle
Ft. Monroe, VA 23651-1329
Work Phone: (757) 465-6870, Extension 10
Home Phone: (757) 723-5919

The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor are among the legendary heroes of World War II.   I commend you for the important role you played in the early months of the war.   By delaying the Japanese conquest of the Philippines, you gave the U.S. Navy time to recover from Pearl Harbor and allowed America to gather her forces for the "island hopping" campaign across the Pacific.   Your courage, hardships and sacrifices - in battle, during the Bataan Death March and as prisoners of war - must never be forgotten.

It is fitting that the survivors of the Alamo of the Pacific are meeting in the Alamo City. I know you will enjoy visiting San Antonio.   From fine restaurants and museums to historic sites and the beautiful River Walk, there is something for everyone.   I'm sure the people you meet will show you our famous Texas hospitality.

Laura joins me in sending best wishes for a successful convention.

Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH

PHIL GRAMM
United States Senator, Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510-4302
March 31, 1999
The Veterans of the Philippine Campaign

Dear Friends:
Thank you for contacting me with regard to the sacrifices made by American fighting men in the Philippines during World War II.   I appreciate having the opportunity to express my deep appreciation for the heroic deeds of the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor.

In these days of unprecedented peace and prosperity, it is all too easy for many Americans to forget that the wealth and security we enjoy were purchased at a considerable price.   An entire generation of Americans interrupted their lives to turn back the hand of tyranny in Europe and the Pacific, and many paid the ultimate price to ensure that their children and grandchildren would enjoy the blessings of freedom and liberty.   World War II was filled with countless acts of heroism, and no aspect of that conflict better demonstrates the bravery, endurance and resourcefulness of American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines than the defense of the Philippines.   The American and native Philippine forces defending the islands faced a much larger Japanese force that had the benefit of secure supply lines.   The fighting withdrawal to Bataan and Corregidor forced American units to leave most of their supplies and equipment behind.   Despite the resulting lack of food, ammunition, weapons, and medical supplies, the defenders of Bataan turned back repeated Japanese assaults for nearly four months, and the island garrison of Corregidor continued to hold out until May.   As you know all too well, the tenacity of your defense of the Philippines threw off the Japanese timetable for conquest, and bought precious time for America to reorganize its forces in the Pacific.   The endurance of American prisoners of war, many of whom continued the fight from behind barbed wire, in the face of Japanese atrocities is a testament to your stubborn fighting spirit.

We must never forget the sacrifice made by the men who stood up to Japan in 1942, and we must always honor them in word and deed.   As my colleagues and I continue to debate the issues of our day, it is with the knowledge that our democracy is made possible through the sweat and blood of those who stood in the way of advancing tyranny.   I wish to offer my humble gratitude to the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, and I can only hope that my and future generations will prove worthy of your distinguished legacy.   It is an honor to represent you in the United States Senate.

Yours respectfully,
PHIL GRAMM, United States Senator

PG:jwt

Thank you for an excellent website about Bataan and Corregidor!   As a writer, I am especially grateful for sites like yours, they are a great source of accurate and reliable information and invaluable links.

When I was writing my WWII novel, The Triumph and the Glory,  I relied often upon veteran's websites for firsthand accounts by the men who were there when history was made.

I would like to thank the webmaster, and everyone who has contributed to the preservation of our military heritage by generously offering their thoughts, comments, and words of remembrance.

Steven Edward Rustad
Thief River Falls, MN
Email Address: Horizon820@aol.com

Dear Mr. Phillips,

Thank you for your response to my posting.   I am married to a wonderful Philippine girl and she is the source of my information.   My wife tells me many interesting stories about her life experiences as a child growing up in the Philippines.   She claims that people who live on Corregidor, dig around the old depressions made from artillery & bombs during the war, to find artifacts, which they sell to tourists.   She lived on Corregidor for years as a child, her father worked for the government as a tour guide for the Pacific War Memorial & Island of Corregidor.

Personally, I was appalled at the idea of Filipinos selling U.S. I.D. tags!   That is why I decided to post my message.   Having first hand experience with the Filipino culture, it is my firm belief that these people do not realize what they are doing, or that they are doing anything wrong.   They are just trying to survive any way they can... I wanted to bring this to some ones attention because I do not know where to take it from here, or what process to take to find a solution to this problem.....

Thank you,
John Odekirk
Email Address: eyeam@wa.freei.net

An excellent web-site.

I find it very sad that so many young people don't know anything of the sacrifice and struggle of the ADBC.  Being a student of military history with a main interest in the 1st six months of the war in the Pacific I have an extensive library collection of books published about those horrible 6 months.

I correspond with Pulitzer prize winning author John TOLAND and have visited him at his home.   In fact his 1961 book But Not in Shame was the start of my interest and research into the Fil-American campaign of 1941-1942.

Your organization is much needed.   You are not forgotten.   I know many vets of that horrific period are writing their autobiographies and I think that is the proper thing to do.   By putting their experiences down in writing will enable future generations to understand what happened then.