U.S. Marine George Burlage was part of the largest surrender in American history at Bataan and Corregidor in the spring of 1942, where the Japanese captured more than 85,000 troops. More than forty percent would not survive World War II. His prisoner-of-war ordeal began at Cabanatuan near Manila, where the death rate in the early months of World War II was fifty men a day. Sensing that Cabanatuan was a death trap, he managed to get transferred to the isolated island of Palawan to help build an airfield for his captors. Malaria and other tropical diseases caused him to be sent to Manila for treatment in 1943 (a year later, 139 of his fellow POWs were massacred on Palawan). After another year of building airfields, Burlage survived a 38-day voyage in the hull of a Japanese hell ship and ended the war as a miner for Mitsubishi in northern Japan. By sheer luck, strength, and a bit of sabotage, he survived and was freed in September 1945 after the Japanese surrendered. He had endured starvation and torture and lost half of his prewar weight, but no one had killed him. After the war Burlage became a journalist and wrote about …

This report looks at the U.S. foreign policy towards the Philippines and discusses the key U.S. policy concerns related to the Philippines.

This report discusses the history and current status of relations between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines (RP), including policy issues and recent political events.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abel Ortega. Ortega was drafted into the Army in March, 1941 and was in the Philippines by November. Ortega was with a tank battalion on Luzon and recalls the retreat to and subsequent surrender on Bataan. Ortega also recalls how his Christian faith served him, and others around him, during captivity. He describes his experiences on the Bataan Death March. Ortega remained in the Philippines for over two years before being shipped to Japan to perform more slave labor. After the war, Ortega was repatriated and describes his return home to his parents.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abel Ortega. Ortega was drafted into the Army in March, 1941 and was in the Philippines by November. Ortega was with a tank battalion on Luzon and recalls the retreat to and subsequent surrender on Bataan. Ortega also recalls how his Christian faith served him, and others around him, during captivity. He describes his experiences on the Bataan Death March. Ortega remained in the Philippines for over two years before being shipped to Japan to perform more slave labor. After the war, Ortega was repatriated and describes his return home to his parents.

Interview with Robert D. Haines, an American prisoner of war during World War II. He discusses the attack on Clark Field in the Philippines on December 8, 1941, as well as his experiences on the Bataan Death March. He also tells of his time spent as a prisoner of war under the Japanese at Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan and Bilibid prison in Manila. He encountered his brother, who was a civilian internee, at Bilibid. From there, he rode on a hell ship for 39 days to a POW camp in Formosa (Taiwan). When the Americans began bombing Formosa, Haines was moved via another hell ship to Tokyo, Japan. Not long after, he was liberated and returned to San Francisco, then Denver.

Interview with Colonel John E. Olson, a Army WWII veteran and POW from Leavenworth, Kansas. Olson discusses his family background, commissioning in the Army from West Point, assignment to the Philippines in 1939 as an infantry officer, the start of the war, withdrawal to Bataan and the ensuing battle and surrender, the Bataan Death March, internment at Cabanatuan, transfer to Osaka, experiences there in internment at a factory labor camp, liberation, organizing the evacuation of POWs, returning to the US, and his postwar career.

Letter from Iola Magruder to Rigdon Edwards discussing articles from different news sources, a recent contribution to Texas Women's University, moving into a new house, past involvement with the American Cross and US military, and other events in her life.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, covering explosions in South Vietnam and two American POWs who were rediscovered by American forces.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Photograph of three men at a swimming pool in Luzon in the Philippines. One man stands to the right of the pool, another prepares to jump off a diving platform, and the third sits on the railing at the very top of the platform. A slide is also attached to the diving platform.

Photograph of Robert Peters in swim trunks, standing on a diving platform in the Philippines.

Photograph of Robert Peters, wearing only shorts, a hat, and shoes. He holds a tennis racket in front of him, and stands next to a tennis net. Trees and a building are visible in the background.

Photograph of William Jenkins in a swimming pool, waving at the camera. In the background, one man climbs up the slide on the right, and another prepares to jump into the pool on the left.

Photograph of William Jenkins standing next to a 44th Tank Battalion Jeep parked on a dirt road in the Philippines.

Photograph of William Jenkins, wearing only boots and shorts, holding a tennis racket and ball next to a net. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Allies score multiple gains in Burma; Luzon hammered from air-superforts active; German bulge compressed; new Philippine landings. Maps: Pacific action; [Burma]; steps to Luzon; Luzon invasion; Counter-offensives. Back: Two black and white aerial photographs of Duren, Germany: before and after.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Masig (?)' of New South Wales, Australia, regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee 'Eric John Byde'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast from internee to 'Charles Gregor', asking him to forward the message to his parents in New South Wales, Australia.

Letter sent from Eddie Dennis to Cecelia McKie thanking her for the message from Jeannette Light and stating this is the first good news they have received. She mentions the wonderful service the 'Short Wave Listening Posts' are giving. Letter is typed on Denver and Intermountain Railroad Company stationery. Envelope addressed to Mrs. W. L. McKie, Sacramento, California from The Denver Tramway Corporation, The Denver and Intermountain R. R. Co., Golden, Colorado. Reverse side of envelope has been removed by creator.