Oral History Interview with Jean Balch, October 12, 1996

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Navy veteran Jean Balch, including Balch's personal experiences about the Pacific theater, being a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II, boot camp, radio, radar, and gunnery school, operations during the Leyte invasion, missions over Luzon, and raids on Japanese installations on Formosa and Saigon, French Indo-China. Additionally, Balch talks about his plane being shot down on a raid to Hong Kong and his capture on January 16, 1945, interrogations and beatings by the Kempei-tai, imprisonment at Ofuna, Honshu, solitary confinement for six months and continued interrogation, beatings by Japanese prison guards, starvation diet, the end of the war and liberation, and his participation in the war crimes trials held by the International Military Tribunal.
Date: October 12, 1996
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Balch, Jean
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Frank H. Bigelow, June 13, 2002

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Navy veteran Frank H. Bigelow, survivor of the siege of Corregidor. The interview includes Bigelow's personal experiences about being a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II, boyhood in North Dakota, various jobs during the Great Depression, and enlisting in the Navy. Additionally, Bigelow speaks about volunteering for duty in the Philippines and his assignment to the submarine tender USS Canopus, pre-war military life in the Philippines, the Japanese bombing of Cavite Navy Yard and the destruction of the Canopus, retreating to Bataan and to Corregidor, the fall of Corregidor, his confinement in the 92nd Garage area, the forced march down Dewey Boulevard in Manila and confinement at Cabanatuan, hell ship to Japan, coal mining for Mitsui Heavy Industries, the amputation of his leg by fellow prisoners after a mining accident, liberation, and the destruction in Nagasaki due to the atomic bomb. The interview includes an appendix with an article titled "A Soldier's Story."
Date: June 13, 2002
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Bigelow, Frank H., 1921-
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-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Horace Chumley, April 3, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Horace Chumley, April 3, 1974

Interview with Horace Chumley, retired law enforcement officer, U.S. Army WWII veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and member of the “Lost Battalion.” Chumley discusses his experiences while being held as a prisoner-of-war by the Japanese during World War II. Fall of Java and capture; Bicycle Camp, Batavia, 1942-45; liberation.
Date: April 3, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Chumley, Horace, 1916-
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 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-
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 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.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with John W. Wisecup, July 28, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John W. Wisecup, July 28, 1987

Interview with John Wisecup, a Marine Corps 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. Wisecup 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), Changi Jail (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: July 28, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Wisecup, John W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Hayes H. Bolitho, July 17, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Hayes H. Bolitho, July 17, 1973

Interview with Hayes H. Bolitho, a businessman and an Army Air Corps veteran, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Bolitho discusses the bombing of Clark Field (1941), his surrender at Clark Field, prison camp at Malaybalay (1942), Davao Penal Colony (1942-1944), the torpedoing of his hell ship and rescue by Filipino guerrillas, and his evacuation by the American submarine USS Narwhal.
Date: July 17, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Hayes, Bolitho H.
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 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-
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 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-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Marvin B. Edwards, March 6, 1971 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Marvin B. Edwards, March 6, 1971

Interview with Marvin B. Edwards, chemist and Army Air Corps veteran (95th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force), concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Germans after being shot down over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. Edwards discusses his rescue by the Belgian underground, his capture and interrogation (1944), solitary confinement, Stalag Luft 3, Sagan, Germany, Nürnberg (Stalag 13-D) and Moosburg (Stalag 7-A) (1945), and his liberation by American troops. Appendix includes Edwards' dossier at Oflag Luft Three, Excerpts from Edwards' prison diary, and Edwards' escape map.
Date: March 6, 1971
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Edwards, Marvin B., 1923-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Jefferson D. Roberts, March 14, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jefferson D. Roberts, March 14, 1973

Interview with Jefferson D. Roberts, a businessman and an Army Air Corps veteran (339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force), concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Germans after being shot down over Nazi Germany during World War II. Roberts discusses the shooting down of his bomber (1944), his capture and interogation near Frankfurt, Heidekruge, East Prussia (1944), a prison camp near Berlin (1944), the forced march from Nürnberg to Moosberg (1945), prison camps at Nürnberg and Barth, and his liberation.
Date: March 14, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Roberts, Jefferson D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with M. L. Daman, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with M. L. Daman, 1973

Interview with Colonel M.L. Daman, an Army veteran and a survivor of the siege of Corregidor, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Daman discusses the fall of Corregidor and his capture, Bilibid Prison in Manila (1942-1943), Davao Penal Colony (1943-1944), Bilibid Prison again (1945), the fall of Manila, and his liberation. Includes an appendix.
Date: September 29, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Daman, M. L., 1915-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Volnie S. Burk, January 10, 1972 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Volnie S. Burk, January 10, 1972

Interview with Volnie S. Burk, an Army veteran and survivor of the siege at Fort Hughes near Corregidor, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Burk discusses the fall of Fort Hughes and his capture, Bilibid Prison in Manila (1942), Cabanatuan (1942-1943), the Manila port area (1943), his return to Bilibid Prison (1943-1944), the fall of Manila (1945), and his liberation.
Date: January 10, 1972
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Burk, Volnie S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Louis B. Read, November 3, 1972 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Louis B. Read, November 3, 1972

Interview conducted in 1972 for the World War II Prisoners of War Oral History Project with Louis B. Read, a businessman, an Army veteran, and a survivor of the Bataan Death March, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II.
Date: November 3, 1972
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Read, Louis B.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with John Bumgarner, March 18, 1995

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with John Bumgarner, a physician and an Army veteran, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese following the fall of the Philippines during World War II. Bumgarner discusses the fall of Bataan and his capture, Bilibid Prison in Manila (1942), Cabanatuan (1942-1944), the hell ship to Japan (1944), Hakodate, Hokkaido (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: March 18, 1995
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Bumgarner, John R.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interviews with Columbus Savage, May 1994

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Colonel Columbus Savage, an Army Air Corps veteran (16th Bomb Squadron) and a survivor of the Bataan Death March, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Savage discusses Bataan Airfield (1941-1942), the fall of Bataan and his capture, the Bataan Death March, Camp O'Donnell (1942), Cabanatuan (1942), Davao Penal Colony (1942-1944), Bilibid Prison in Manila (1944), the hell ship to Japan (1945), Mojo and Fukuoka, Kyushu (1945), Mukden, Manchuria (1945), and his liberation by Russian troops. Appendix includes a photocopy of an article from the May 24, 1991 edition of the Carswell Sentinel, titled, "Warrior received belated honors" by MSgt. Dick Hodgson.
Date: {1994-05-26,1994-05-31}
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Savage, Columbus
System: The UNT Digital Library