Freddie Joseph Griffin USMC
Prisoner Of War Survivor
Held prisoner somewhere near Nagasaki
DOB 11/7/18   Died 6/26/68,   Louisiana

I have a newspaper clipping and three prisoner of war post cards that were in my Grandmother's papers.   They came from Osaka POW Camp & Umeda Bushno Sub Camp.  Two of the post cards were typed and one was hand written. I am hoping these will help somebody remember Uncle Freddie and get in touch with me.
I look forward to hearing from other POWs.

Sylvia Effler (niece)
seffler@bellsouth.net


First, the newspaper clipping:
Dated February 10, 1945

"After 15 months in which his parents had no way of knowing whether he was dead or alive, Marine Pfc. Freddie Joseph Griffin, 26, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lee of 258 Louisiana Street, Westwego, suddenly was allowed to break his silence in a short-wave radio broadcast from a prisoner of war camp in Osaka, Japan on January 27.   The broadcast was picked up by dozens of persons listening in on the West Coast as well as by persons in the Pacific, in the Philippines and even in India, and all of them relayed the message to his home.

Pfc. Griffin has been a prisoner of war of the Japanese since May 10, 1942.   By a remarkable coincidence, he is interned in the same camp where his home community neighbor, Edwin Orgeron of Harvey is being held.   Since his imprisonment two years and nine months ago, Griffin has been allowed to send only two letters, the last one 15 months ago.   In his radio message he said, "Dear Mom and Dad: I am in good health and eating good, considering the circumstances.   I am constantly in hopes of our re-uniting soon.   We have books and music as recreation.   I have written.   I am waiting for a letter from you.   How is everyone there?   How is the food?   What are you doing?   Give my best regards to all."

In his two letters home, Freddie also seemed concerned over food.   His parents were at a lost to determined whether his anxiety over food was caused by Jap propaganda to the prisoners or by his own lack of it.   Letters telling Mr. and Mrs. Lee of the broadcast from T-Sgt. E. Cotter, an American soldier in India, from Lt. Comdr. T.S. Hare in the Pacific, and Ensign James F. Mills in the Philippines."



The cards that he sent from POW camp:

1st Card,  Undated reads:
" IMPERIAL NIPPONESE ARMY.
I am interned in Osaka Umeda Bunsho Prisoner of War Camp.
My health is usual.
I am working for pay.
Please see that all is taken care of.
My love to you all:
FRED"


2nd card,  Dated Oct, 1943 reads:
" IMPERIAL NIPPONESE ARMY.
Dear Folks,
Letting you know I am in fair health.
Am working for pay.   I miss you all so very much.   I sure wish I was there.   Please let me know how everything is getting along over there, or try.   Please tell everybody "Hello" for me and that I wish them all the best of luck.
From,   FREDDIE GRIFFIN"


3rd card,  Dated Nov. 7,1944:
"My Dearest Mom and Dad,
I am in good health and hope you are the same.
Hope to be home soon.
Please say HELLo to all my friends.
As always
Your Loving Son,
Fred."

The word HELLo was underlined.
There was also a #169 written at the bottom of this card.