"My father John J. Neiger (West Point '35) was among those who perished December 15, 1944 on the Oryoku Maru.   I was born in Nov. '39, so my earliest memories were wondering whether he was alive or not, hearing that he died the summer of '45, around the time of the atom bombs.

My mother and family was so shocked by this story, that we've hardly learned any details.   So here I am now, 61 years old (my mother long since died herself) much older than he was when he died, and I am more interested than ever in his dreadful, inspiring story.   His life as a POW is still very much alive with me. Feeling the loss keenly to this day (largely in ignorance). Feeling disturbed and inadequate that his body was never recovered and that I have never even been to the Philippines, since we sailed back to the States in May, 1941, leaving him there. Not even knowing which hold he was in or ever having heard a firsthand report of anyone who knew him from the POW period, or was with him aboard the Oryoku Maru. I would be very interested therefore to be in touch with any survivors of the Oryoku Maru, especially any one who would be willing to share any memories of their comrade John Neiger with his son.   I think he was among those who surrendered on Bataan, went through O'Donnell and spent most of the war at Cabanatuan I.

I have a collection of his POW diaries, postcards and letters, wondering where a worthy depository for these cherished firsthand accounts might be.   I am on the ADBC website for the first time today and looking forward to returning and putting my e-mail address on one of the lists.

Eager to learn more and get involved finally after more than 60 years of silence.
I know our pain never approaches their pain."

Sincerely,
Henry M. Neiger
285 Riverside Drive, NY, NY 10025
Neigerh@aol.com