"Asa Willard Franklin, Enlisted, Army Air Corp, Airplane Mechanic, from Chilton County, Alabama.   He was in the 27th Bomb Group when he was captured by the Japanese in the Pacific in February or March of 1942.   He was a POW for about 42 months and told some horrific stories about eating potato peels from the trash heap, summary executions, etc.   I remember some of these stories as he told them when I was a kid.   He sort of stopped talking about it later on.   I remember his disgust at the purchase of Toyotas and Datsuns by Americans.   I have vague recollections of a story about some Filipinos he felt badly for. He said they really suffered at the hands of the "Japs".

I hadn't thought much about my uncle until recently.   I'm in the Eglin (AFB, Florida) Chapter of the Association of Old Crows) and we set-up and co-sponsored a banquet in honor of the 20th Pursuit Squadron during their reunion.   I also scanned and photographed a poster for TSgt James Brown (USAF Retired) of the 20th who hosted their reunion this year.   Anyway, this poster shows military districts and units in the Philippines.   I found the 27th Bomb Group (my Uncle's Group) on this poster under the Far East Air Force."

Can you help me find anything about my uncle?

Thanks,
Brian L. Franklin
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
motorhead@fwb.gulf.net