BATAAN

            On April 9, 1942, the Phillipine Islands fell to Japanese forces. Ten thousand Americans were captured along with some fifty thousand Filipinos. These prisoners of war were forced to march from the Bataan peninsula to Camp O’Donnell located one hundred miles away. Seventeen thousand died along the way. Of the ten thousand Americans captured, only four thousand survived the march and prison camps. Three of those survivors were Paul Boback, Karl “Swish” Burdette and Roland King-all form Ford City. Upon being liberated at the War’s end, “Swish” wrote the following letter to his mother.

Dear Mother:
            You need not worry about me any longer. I know that you have spent many sleepless nights thinking of me. I have sent you mail each time that I could, but  know you didn’t hear from me very often. Each time that I had a letter from you I was very angry when I found out that you hadn’t been receiving my letters. I could do nothing but to keep on writing and hoping that the Japs would send my letters through.
            I am a little under weight and need two teeth fixed, but outside of that I am fine. At the rate that I have been eating the last couple of days, I’ll regain the weight in short time.
            Thanks a million for the parcel and the letters; I know that you wouldn’t let me down. Each item was well selected and I received it at the right time.
            Often I have thought of the times that you said, “Some day you kids may be glad to get the food we wasted.” I know what you meant now for I have learned it the hard way. I know what it is to be hungry for I have been hungry for 3 ½ years. We didn’t have a picnic at Bataan, while we lasted, and it was no vacation being a prisoner under Japan as you will find out when you hear of the few that will return from the Phillipines. It is only a miracle that I am one of the ones to return.
            I shall give you those birthday presents when I get back. I’m sorry that I can’t be there for this one. Tell Dad that he and I will take in some ballgames soon. Has he sold his car? If not, I bet it’s still in good shape. How are all my brothers and where is Russell, Floyd, Red and the rest of them? Why didn’t you send me some pictures and why didn’t the rest of them write? Or did they?
            I could write for hours for I have so much to say, but I would like to wait until I see you, which won’t be long now. I would like to spend Thanksgiving with you, in fact I expect to do just that.
            By the addresses of my mail you can see that I have gotten around a little. I am about halfway around the World and don’t know which way I’ll go to come back. The fastest route is the way I want to take. I wish Dad were here to make the trip back with me. He always enjoys seeing a new country.
            I’ll send this letter in the envelope of the last letter I received from you. That was August 17, 1945. If the war hadn’t ended, I wouldn’t have received it for another year or two.
            I’ll see all of you soon, and tell everyone I said hello.
            Thinking of you. Love to all,

                                                        “Swish”

P.S. Roland King sleeps next to me. I know nothing of Paul Boback, I still have hopes for him.

(Boback made it back in September, 1945.)