Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Seldon D. Reese, June 21, 1978 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Seldon D. Reese, June 21, 1978

Interview with Seldon D. Reese, a Navy veteran and a survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Reese talks about the sinking of the Houston (1942), his capture and imprisonment at Serang, Java, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), American air raids, Saigon and Da Lat, French Indo-China (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: June 21, 1978
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Reese, Seldon D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interviews with Charley L. Pryor, 1972-1973 (open access)

Oral History Interviews with Charley L. Pryor, 1972-1973

Interview with Charley L. Pryor, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Lubbock, Texas, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Pryor discusses the sinking of the Houston, his capture, experiences in imprisonment at Serang, Java, experiences at Bicycle Camp in Batavia and Changi Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway, American air raids, and liberation.
Date: 1972-11/1973-02
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Pryor, Charley L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with B. D. Fillmore, October 9, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with B. D. Fillmore, October 9, 1973

Interview with B. D. Fillmore, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Jacksboro, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion") by Japanese forces on Java. Fillmore discusses joining the Guard and mobilization, deployment to the Pacific, diversion to Java and operations at Malang, the Japanese invasion and American surrender, internment at Tanjung Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, transfer to Thanbyuzayat and work on the Burma Railway, and liberation. In appendix are Fillmore's Japanese prisoner records, and War Department reports on his missing status and health.
Date: October 9, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Seldon D. Reese, June 21, 1978 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Seldon D. Reese, June 21, 1978

Interview with Seldon D. Reese, a Navy veteran and survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Reese talks about the sinking of the USS Houston (1942), capture and imprisonment at Serang, Java, Bicycle Camp, Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp, Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-44), Kanchanaburi, Thailand, and American air raids (1944), Saigon and Da Lat, French Indo-China (1944-45), and his liberation.
Date: June 21, 1978
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Reese, Seldon D., 1922-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Thomas A. Whitehead, February 2, 1977 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thomas A. Whitehead, February 2, 1977

Interview with Thomas Whitehead, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Wichita Falls, Texas. Whitehead discusses his experiences as a member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, the "Lost Battalion" captured on Java in March 1942, including: joining the National Guard; participation in the Louisiana Maneuvers; departure for the Philippines and diversion to Brisbane; assignment to Sangosari Airfield near Malang; the surrender of American forces; internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Prison in Singapore, several camps on the Burma Railway, and Non Pladuk and Ubon Airfield, Thailand; and liberation.
Date: February 2, 1977
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Whitehead, Thomas A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Eldridge Rayburn, January 16, 1980 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Eldridge Rayburn, January 16, 1980

Interview with Eldridge Rayburn, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Rayburn discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944-1945), Saigon and Da Lat, French Indo-China (1945), American air raids, and his liberation.
Date: January 16, 1980
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Rayburn, Eldridge L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interviews with Pete Evans, 1984 (open access)

Oral History Interviews with Pete Evans, 1984

Interview with Pete Evans, a Texas National Guard veteran and POW from Hamby, Texas. Evans discusses his time as a member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion") which was captured by the Japanese in March, 1942, including: his upbringing; entering the Guard and training; mobilization, the Louisiana Maneuvers, and deployment to East Asia; diversion from the Philippines to Brisbane and then Java, after December 7th, 1941; assignment to Sangosari near Malang; the Japanese invasion and the American surrender; and experiences in internment at Surabaya, Tanjong Priok in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Nagasaki, and the Orio district of Kitakyūshū.
Date: {1984-02-15,1984-02-29,1984-03-07}
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Evans, Pete
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Clark L. Taylor, September 14, 1979 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clark L. Taylor, September 14, 1979

Interview with Captain Clark Taylor, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Taylor discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi and Tamarkan, Thailand (1944), American air raids, Bangkok, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: September 14, 1979
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Taylor, Clark L., 1915-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Weldon O. Western, February 16, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Weldon O. Western, February 16, 1987

Interview with Weldon Western, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Western discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Saigon, French Indo-China (1945), American air raids, and his liberation.
Date: February 16, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Western, Weldon O., 1914-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Houston Tom Wright, August 15, 1978 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Houston Tom Wright, August 15, 1978

Interview with Houston Tom ("Slug") Wright, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Wright discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi and Tamarkan, Thailand (1944), American air raids, Tamuang, Thailand (1944), Phet Buri, Thailand (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: August 15, 1978
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Wright, Houston Tom, 1915-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Lawrence Brown, March 13, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Lawrence Brown, March 13, 1974

Interview with Lawrence Brown, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas. Brown was a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment (the "Lost Battalion"): he recounts working during the Depression; mobilization; deployment to the Philippines and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th, 1941; arrival at Sangosari, Java; the Japanese invasion and American surrender; experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, several work camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Saigon; and liberation.
Date: March 13, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Brown, Lawrence
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Garth W. Slate, August 13, 1980 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Garth W. Slate, August 13, 1980

Interview with Garth Slate, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Slate discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Saigon and Da Lat, French Indo-China (1944-1945), American air raids, and his liberation.
Date: August 13, 1980
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Slate, Garth W., 1921-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Robert Gregg, March 24, 1971 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Gregg, March 24, 1971

Interview with Robert Gregg, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"). Gregg discusses mobilization and deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and his capture, internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia and Changi Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand "Death" Railway, and liberation.
Date: March 24, 1971
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Gregg, Robert
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Frank W. Ficklin, January 16, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frank W. Ficklin, January 16, 1987

Transcript of an interview with Frank Ficklin, a businessman, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion." Ficklin discusses his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Ficklin discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Changi Jail (1944), and his liberation.
Date: January 16, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Ficklin, Frank W., 1922-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Crayton R. Gordon, January 31, 1977 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Crayton R. Gordon, January 31, 1977

Transcript of an interview with Crayton Gordon, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II.
Date: January 31, 1977
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Crayton, Gordon R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Paul E. Papish, January 30, 1989 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Paul E. Papish, January 30, 1989

Interview with Paul E. Papish, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from Denver, Colorado, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Papish discusses joining the Navy in 1939 and training, assignment to the Houston and operations in the Pacific, the start of war and initial engagements, the Battle of the Java Sea, getting sunk at Sundra Strait, surviving on a raft and reaching shore on Java, capture, initial internment, transfer to and experiences in Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, and liberation.
Date: January 30, 1989
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Papish, Paul E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Willie V. Jordan, June 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Willie V. Jordan, June 1987

Interview with Willie Jordan, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Jordan talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: 1987-06-01/1987-06-03
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Jordan, Willie V., 1922-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with James W. Gee, March 13 and March 19, 1972 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James W. Gee, March 13 and March 19, 1972

Interview with James W. Gee, a sales executive, a Marine Corps veteran, and a survivor of the sinking of the U.S.S. Houston, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Gee talks about the sinking of the Houston (1942), his capture and imprisonment at Serang, Java, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), the hell ship to Japan (1944), coal mining near Nagasaki (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: [1972-03-13,1972-03-19]
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Gee, James Wallace
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with George Burns, March 12, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Burns, March 12, 1974

Interview with George Burns, a postal worker, farmer, U.S. Army WWII veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion," about his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Burns talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: March 12, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Burns, George, 1917-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Ilo B. Hard, March 26, 1980 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ilo B. Hard, March 26, 1980

Interview with Colonel Ilo Hard, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Hard talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Singapore (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: March 26, 1980
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Hard, Ilo B., 1923-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Frank Fujita, November 9, 1970 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frank Fujita, November 9, 1970

Interview with Frank Fujita, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Abilene, Texas. Fujita recounts his experiences as a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "the Lost Battalion"), including: joining the Guard and deploying to East Asia; diversion to Brisbane and assignment to Malang, Java; repelling a Japanese infantry assault; attempted evasion of Japanese forces before being captured; and internment and labor at Surabaja, Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Nagasaki, and Omori Camp in Tokyo. Fujita recorded his POW experiences in an encrypted diary.
Date: November 9, 1970
Creator: Marcello, Ronald & Fujita Jr., Frank
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with M. T. Harrelson, May 9, 1985 (open access)

Oral History Interview with M. T. Harrelson, May 9, 1985

Interview with M. T. Harrelson, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Wichita Falls, Texas, who was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"). Harrelson discusses National Guard training and operations before the war, deployment to the Pacific and diversion to Java, the Japanese invasion, surrender and initial confinement, internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, and the end of the war.
Date: May 9, 1985
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Harrelson, M. T., 1919-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Edward Fung, December 21, 1977 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Edward Fung, December 21, 1977

Interview with Edward Fung, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Fung talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Nakom Paton, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: December 21, 1977
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Fung, Eddie, 1922-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Otto C. Schwarz, August 7, 1979 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Otto C. Schwarz, August 7, 1979

Transcript of an interview with Otto Schwarz, a Navy veteran from New Jersey and a survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston. Schwarz discusses the sinking of the USS Houston and his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II.
Date: August 7, 1979
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Schwarz, Otto C.
System: The UNT Digital Library