Resource Type

Oral History Interview with W. A. Henderson, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with W. A. Henderson, 2007

Interview with Lieutenant Col. W. A. Bill Henderson of Gatesville, Texas, who is a veteran of the United States Air Force. In the interview, Mr. Henderson answers biographical questions and talks about his military flight training, traveling, and bombing the Kwai River Bridge during World War II.
Date: 2007
Creator: Johnson, Kep & Henderson, W. A.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with C. L. Pryor, December 5, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with C. L. Pryor, December 5, 1987

Interview with Charley Pryor, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Elmore City, Oklahoma. Pryor discusses joining the Marine Corps, operations with the North China Marines in Tsingtao, interactions with Japanese troops before the war, surviving the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30), being captured and participating in a Japanese landing on Java, thoughts on Japanese soldiers and military life, experiences working on the Burma Railway in Thailand, experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia and a camp at Kachanaburi in Thailand, liberation, and postwar service.
Date: December 5, 1987
Creator: Jones, Waller F. & Pryor, Charley L.
Object Type: Book
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
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Charles A. Cates, March 14, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles A. Cates, March 14, 1974

Interview with Charles A. Cates, a businessman, U.S. 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. Cates 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 (1943-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: March 14, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Cates, Charles A., 1908-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Arthur B. Clark, September 29, 2000

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Arhtur B. Clark, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Abilene, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery. Clark discusses joining the National Guard, training and maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and surrender to the Japanese, experiences in internment at Tanjong Priok in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, labor on the Burma "Death" Railway, and liberation. The interview includes an appendix with a reference page and a written flight log by Col. Tom Sledge.
Date: September 29, 2000
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Clark, Arthur B.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with George Detre, August 17, 1978 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Detre, August 17, 1978

Transcript of an interview with George Detre, a Navy veteran from Warren, Ohio, and a survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston. Detre discusses concerning his experiences during World War II, including as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese.
Date: August 17, 1978
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Detre, George
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with E. Benjamin Dunn, November 16, 1999

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with E. Benjamin Dunn, a Army WWII veteran and POW from Gorham, Illinois, who was captured by the Japanese on Java with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Dunn discusses training in the Army, transfer to 2-131 and deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and being captured, experiences in internment in Batavia and later Changi Prison Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway, and liberation.
Date: November 16, 1999
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Dunn, E. Benjamin
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
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
Object Type: Book
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
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with J. B. Heinen, Jr., October 29, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with J. B. Heinen, Jr., October 29, 1973

Interview with J. B. Heinen Jr., an independent oilman, U. S. Army WWII veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion." Heinen discusses his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II, including the fall of Java and capture; Bicycle Camp, Batavia, 1942; Changi Prison Camp, Singapore, 1942; building the Burma Thailand Death Railway, 1942-44; Kanchanaburi, Thailand, 1944; and his liberation in Bangkok.
Date: October 29, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Heinen, J. B., Jr.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with James W. Huffman, April 11, 1990

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with James W. Huffman, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from Los Angeles, California, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Huffman discusses joining the Navy; service aboard the Houston and changes in training as war neared; early operations in the war; the Battle of Sundra Strait and sinking; surviving in Java; capture by the Japanese; various experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat, several camps on the Burma Railway, and Tamarkan in Thailand; and liberation.
Date: April 11, 1990
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Huffman, James W.
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Sidney C. Matlock, September 9, 1981 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Sidney C. Matlock, September 9, 1981

Interview with Sidney Matlock, 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. Matlock 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), railroad maintenance work in Burma (1944), Phet Buri, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: September 9, 1981
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Matlock, Sidney C., 1917-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Herbert R. Morris, May 8, 1989 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Herbert R. Morris, May 8, 1989

Transcript of an interview with Herbert Morris, 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. Morris 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), Changi Jail (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: May 8, 1989
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Morris, Herbert R., 1919-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Jack Moss, July 19, 1970 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jack Moss, July 19, 1970

Interview with Jack Moss, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran from Amarillo, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Moss discusses joining the the Guard and deployment to the Pacific, the fall and capture of Java, his experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, partaking in forced labor on the Burma-Thailand "Death" Railway, and liberation.
Date: July 19, 1970
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Moss, Jack
Object Type: Book
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.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Ray Robinson, June 25, 1979 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ray Robinson, June 25, 1979

Interview with Ray Robinson regarding his experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II. He was part of the Texas National Guard, 36th Division, 131st Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, also known as the "Lost Battalion." He was captured on the island of Java in March of 1942 and spent the duration of the war thereafter as a prison of war in camps in South East Asia and in Japan.
Date: June 25, 1979
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Ray Robinson
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with M. L. Rea, April 14, 1980 (open access)

Oral History Interview with M. L. Rea, April 14, 1980

Transcript of an interview with M. L. Rea, a Texas native, Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion." Rea discusses his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II.
Date: April 14, 1980
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Rea, M. L., 1917-
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Thomas Spencer, February 5, 1979 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thomas Spencer, February 5, 1979

Interview with Thomas Spencer, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Joplin, Texas. Spencer discusses his experiences with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, the "Lost Battalion" captured on Java in March 1942, including: joining the service; training; deployment to East Asia; diversion to Brisbane and Malang; the Japanese attack on Java; the American surrender; experiences in internment and labor at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, several camps on the Burma Railway, and Saigon; liberation.
Date: February 5, 1979
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Spencer, Thomas
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with W. L. Starnes, April 2, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with W. L. Starnes, April 2, 1974

Interview with W. L. Starnes, a businessman, 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. Starnes 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), Saigon and Da Lat, French Indo-China (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: April 2, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Starnes, W. L., 1919-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library