Oral History Interview with Cleon Stewart, March 18, 1993

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Cleon Stewart, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Tulia, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (known as the "Lost Battalion"). Stewart discusses joining the National Guard, training and the Louisiana Maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific in November, 1941, diversion to Java after December 7th, Japanese air strikes and the invasion, the American surrender and initial internement by the Japanese, experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp, Singapore, and life in captivity there, and liberation.
Date: March 18, 1993
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Stewart, Cleon
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.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Lanson B. Ditto, October 11, 1996

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Lanson B. Ditto, clothier and Navy veteran regarding personal experiences about the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Theaters during World War II. Ditto talks about his education, enlistment in the Navy V-7 Program, midshipman training, assignment to the USS Langley, pre-war duty in the Philippines, coming of war and combat around the Philippines and Netherlands East Indies, the sinking of the Langley and his transfer to the USS Pecos, the sinking of the Pecos and his rescue by the USS Whipple, various naval battles and assignments, antisubmarine patrols off the Solomons, various escort duties, and his promotion to captain of the O'Toole.
Date: October 11, 1996
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Ditto, Lanson B.
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 Roy Offerle, August 14, 1978 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Roy Offerle, August 14, 1978

Interview with Roy Offerle 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: August 14, 1978
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Offerle, Roy M.
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
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Glenn Pace, October 24, 1972 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Glenn Pace, October 24, 1972

Interview with Glenn W. Pace regarding his experiences in the military during WWII. Mr. Pace was a member of the Texas National Guard, 36th Division, 131st Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, also known as the "Lost Battalion" but was one of the few members of the battalion that were not captured and made it to Australia.
Date: October 24, 1972
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Pace, Glenn W.
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 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 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 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 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
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
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 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 P. Lawley, November 3, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George P. Lawley, November 3, 1973

Interview with George P. Lawley, an Army WWII veteran and POW from Odessa, Texas. Lawley discusses his time with the so-called "Lost Battalion" on Java and his experiences as a Japanese prisoner-of-war, including: joining the National Guard in 1940 and training, deployment for East Asia with 2nd Battallion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment; diversion to Java at the start of the war; the Japanese attack and his unit's capture; and his experiences in internment and labor at Tanjong Priok in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat and several camps on the Burma Railway, and near Nagasaki.
Date: November 3, 1973
Creator: Teague, William J. & Lawley, George P.
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 Cecil Minshew, February 18, 1983 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Cecil Minshew, February 18, 1983

Interview with Cecil T. Minshew 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: February 18, 1983
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Minshew, Cecil T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Paul Kempff, October 13, 1980 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Paul Kempff, October 13, 1980

Interview with Paul Kempff regarding his experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II. He was a member of the Royal Dutch Navy and was later transferred the Marines before being captured on the Island of Java. During his time, he came into contact with members of the "Lost Battalion", the 2nd Battalion of the 131st Field Artillery in the 36th Division.
Date: October 13, 1980
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Kempff, Paul
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Ben Kelley, March 26, 1982 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ben Kelley, March 26, 1982

Interview with Ben Kelley regarding his experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II. He was part of the 36th Division, Texas National Guard, 131st Field Artillery, 2nd 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: March 26, 1982
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Kelley, Ben
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981

Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Hughes Springs, Texas. Summerlin discusses his experiences as a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, or the "Lost Battalion" of the 36th Infantry Division, including: being drafted in 1940 and training; deployment to East Asia and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th; assignment to Sangosari Airfield, Malang, Java; the Japanese assault and American surrender; internment and labor at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat and several camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Bangkok; liberation, and recovery in Calcutta.
Date: June 9, 1981
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Summerlin, Granville T.
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 Jess Stanbrough, April 15, 1985 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jess Stanbrough, April 15, 1985

Interview with Jess Stanbrough, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran from Wichita Falls, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Stanbrough discusses his time in the Guard before the war, deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and being captured, experiences in internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, operating a clandestine radio, transfer to Japan, being an iron smelter at Kamaishi, Honshu, American air and naval bombardment, and liberation.
Date: April 15, 1985
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Stanbrough, Jess
System: The UNT Digital Library