About the Book

Chapter Summary

1 SURRENDER
Last days of the Japanese siege of Corregidor to May 6 1942.

2 EARLY DAYS
Growing up during the Depression, college, marriage and family in central California. Volunteer for active military pre-war. Departure to Philippines.

3 LETTERS HOME
Letters from the Philippines during preparation for the unexpected war.

4 WAR COMES TO THE PHILIPPINES
Situation in Manila and the Philippines. Early days of war and critical losses of people and equipment. Retreat to defensive perimeter on Bataan.

5 BATAAN
Arrival on Bataan then move ton Corregidor. Letters out by submarine. Hope and despair.

6 BATAAN FALLS; CORREGIDOR PREPARES
Words from those on Bataan and Corregidor. Fighting for survival. Disease and lack of food. Bataan Death March.

7 PRISONERS
Corregidor POW camp, then movement through streets of Manila to prison, crowded boxcars to Cabanatuan, the primary POW camp.

8 CABANATUAN
Confusion, leadership problems. Many died and minimum medical help. Escapes and Japanese retribution.

9 DEATH FOR MANY
Over three thousand die. Younger prisoners sent to Japan as laborers.

10 DAVAO PENAL COLONY
One thousand prisoners sent to the south. Day to day life in a POW camp. Big escape and result upon men remaining. Some are worked to death.

11 LONG HAUL
People who knew father. Understanding of life as a prisoner of war.

12 MOVING AGAIN
With MacArthur and American forces returning towards the Philippines, surviving POWs moved back to Manila. Emotions and feelings shared through words.

13 HOPES DASHED
American Naval aircraft arrive over camp in September 1944. POWs sent to Manila prepared to leave for Japan. Letters left for family and children as men prepare to leave in face of probable death by aircraft and submarines.

14 ORYOKU MARU
Over 1600 board ship December 13 1944. Stifling and crowded conditions in hot holds. Bombed. Ship sinks near shore with 300 lost. Survivors kept under extreme conditions ashore with 15 murdered at Chinese cemetery. Survivors moved by crowded boxcar to second port north of Manila.

15 ENOURA MARU
Survivors placed on two additional ships. Torpedo attack off west coast of Philippines. Conditions deteriorate due to lack of water and food. Many die.

16 BOMBED AGAIN
Enoura Maru with over 1200 survivors bombed by American aircraft in Formosa with over 300 killed. Father dies and is taken ashore.

17 THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
In horrible conditions, no shoes, few clothes in frigid weather the ship journey ends in Japan with less than 450 people still alive. Why did some die and others live?

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