80th Commemoration of the Liberation of Manila

Martin Meadows was kind enough to forward some photos and a letter from Mr. Aaron Key, past president of the Elks of Manila lodge 761, involving the 80th Commemoration of the Liberation of Manila which was held at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial on 22 February 2025. This event was one of many commenorations which occurred in the Philippines and United States this year.

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Message and photos from Aaron Key [click any photo to enlarge]:

Hello Martin,

I cannot possibly do justice in recapping the events that occurred here this past week. I would simply be grasping at words to do justice. It was an overwhelming success. A chapter was written in the legacy of human triumph.

The returning heroes were greeted by the Ambassador and a delegation at the airport.

On Feb 18th, at the Manila Elks Lodge, with an audience of Veterans, I read your letter to the returning WWII veterans Corporal John Hodges of Virginia age 101 and Yeoman Second Class Arthur Grabiner of New York City. They were joined at the Lodge by Filipino Guerilla fighter Prospero Evangelista aged 97. He fought with Captain Ramon Magsaysay, the future 7th President of the Philippines.

To our Liberators:

It is not really possible to fully express my gratitude for what you and your fellow GIs did in liberating the Santo Tomas Internment Camp and its nearly 4,000 prisoners some 80 years ago. I was a scrawny 14-year old, 69-pound youth at that time. Hardly a day passes when I do not happen to recall that literally life-altering day — or rather, night — and the inexpressible thankfulness, happiness, and relief that flooded over us internees. Even now, eight decades later, I still tear up (really) when I try (but fail) to describe that indescribable night.

At the risk of exposing my pretentiousness, I would like to quote two well-known writers. Cicero, the renowned ancient Roman statesman, philosopher and orator, said that gratitude is “the greatest of virtues”; and that fable-spinner Aesop said “Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” Well, I certainly don’t know about all that; and, frankly, I am rather dubious about such overblown claims. But of one thing I am certain. Gentlemen, it is incredibly impressive that you are in attendance at this extraordinary Commemoration. I am truly honored to say to you (unfortunately at a distance) and all your fellow Liberators, past and present: you have our undying gratitude — you have never been, and you will never be, forgotten. [Martin Meadows]

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Prospero recounted the night Magsaysay gave an order to light a signal fire near the beach but did not reveal the reason. The fire signaled awaiting American forces off-shore in the night. It was a signal preparing for the American landing. They had returned. His voice cracked with joy as he told the story.

Yeoman Arthur Grabiner told of dodging kamikaze planes, zigging and zagging and sometimes not being successful in doing so. He witnessed the burial at sea of 1500 sailors at one time. An event of the nature no generation should ever endure again nor bear in the their memories for 80 years.

Corporal Hodges who land in Zambales and fought through Zig Zag pass said that “they had a job to do and they did it”

They had a full week of meetings, lectures, tours and ceremonies. They imparted their messages to youth, Scouts and University students. They made national headlines, shook hands with President Marcos, inspired Veterans who came after them and Arthur sang New York New York at the Elks lunch.

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On Saturday, in addition to the President of the Philippines, members of his cabinet, the U.S. Ambassador and the Head Admiral of US Indo-Pacific Forces, four of their former Filipino comrades from WWII, a thousand others came. The spirits of those interned were stirred.

I took note of one of the several banners honoring the fallen. Mildred Mae Harper whom we exchanged about recently. Her gleaming smile is eternal.

Mildred Mae Harper

[Photo of Mildred Mae Harper, killed in the Japanese shelling of Santo Tomás Internment Camp on 7 February 1945. She was about 17-years-old.]

The height of my day was when Leslie Murray was reunited in particular with Corporal John Hodges. As it turned out he made it all the way from his landing at Zambales to the grounds of Santo Tomas where he recalled being ordered to disperse beer and chocolate. When he and Leslie exchanged he asked her if she was one of the ones they gave the beer and chocolate to. She confirmed she received the chocolate but not the beer. She gifted them with coins from the Filipino American Monument Endowment (FAME). 

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So much occurred that day, this week with pivotal effects to follow. An eternal torch was passed forward to the testament of human triumph.

Thank you for your inspiration Martin. As noted, I can’t provide the due tribute to this week and the Commemoration Ryan orchestrated on Feb 22 by Ryan Blum.

A 1000 words, 1000 moments recalled and 1000 photos…and one would only be at the start of the story.

Many thanks to Aaron Key and Dr. Martin Meadows for their contributions.

Editor’s note: My uncle, Alvah Don Johnson of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment, is one of the many victims of World War II buried in the Cemetery.

Limerick: 80 years since Liberation Day by Martin Meadows

Santo Tomas Internment Camp Liberation, 1945

80 years since Liberation Day
(3 February 1945 – 3 February 2025)

CPOW 2025 Reunion Notice

STIC liberation with children on a liberator tank in front of main buildingAs was announced last year, the CPOW.org 2025 Reunion will be held in Sacramento, California, on February 21st thru 23rd at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade. This special event is to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of the civilian and POW camps in the Philippines. The preliminary schedule and registration form is displayed below. Just click on the form to print or download. Following that, a registration form for joining CPOW, or for renewing your membership, is supplied.

CPOW 2025 Preliminary Reunion Registration
CPOW 2025 Membership Form

Download both forms in PDF format

Link to the January 2025 issue of Beyond the Wire

Sally Meadows DAR presentation

Sally Meadows, 2024 presentationCPOW Commander, Sally Meadows, delivered a talk on 19 January 2024 titled Former Civilian POWs and their internment by the Japanese during Japan’s Occupation of the Philippines in World War II. The presentation was sponsored by the Los Altos chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). A short review of the talk was recently published in the Los Altos Town Crier under the title Sharing Stories: Sally Meadows recounts family POW experience.

Sally recounted the civilian internee experience in the Philippines drawing on historical records and the stories of her father, Martin Meadows, who, with his parents, were interned in Santo Tomás Internment Camp (STIC) from January 1942 through 3 February 1945.

The meeting was very well attended and the presentation generated much discussion. The full presentation is currently online (see link below)


Link to the article at the Los Altos Town Crier.
Link to the one-hour 19 January presentation.

STIC kitchen workers

Santo Tomás kitchen workers

CPOW Reunion 2023 – Update!

Because of Covid, the CPOW (Civilian ex-Prisoners of War) (formerly BACEPOW) reunion was cancelled last year. So we are making up for it in 2023 with a meeting at our familiar hotel in Sacramento, California. The hotel is newly renovated for guest rooms and the atrium lobby, and features a managers cocktail social period in the late afternoon plus a cooked-­to-order breakfast.

CPOW 2023 Reunion Agenda


Thursday April 13 through Sunday April 16
Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade

Thursday

    2:00 to 5:00 Registration, Cindie Leonard, Atrium

Friday

    Friday morning, Self-Registration, Atrium
    9:00 Opening & Welcome, Sally Meadows, Steamboat/Central Pacific Room
    9:10 Presentation of the Colors, California National Guard
    9:20 Los Baños Liberation, Sondra Shields
    10:05 Bilibid Liberation, Francine Bostrom
    10:50 Break
    11:05 Video of Internees, Melanie Chapman
    12:35 Lunch Break
    2:00 Twice a POW, Angus Lorenzen
    3:25 Break
    3:40 A Matter of Faith: Religion and Hope at Santo Tomas, Mary Beth Klee
    5:00 End of Session

Saturday
Steamboat/Central Pacific Room

Sunday
Various Rooms

    9:00 Book Discussions and Sales, Atrium
    9:00 CPOW Board of Directors, Sally Meadows, Tower Bridge B
    10:30 Authors Work in Progress, Mary Beth Klee, Tower Bridge B
    12:00 Banquet, Steamboat/Central Pacific
    1:00 Reunion Summation and Closing Remarks, Sally Meadows
    1:15 Keynote Speaker, Jim Zobel
    2:30 Adjourn, Sally Meadows

Hotel Reservations:
To reserve a room at Sacramento Embassy Suites using our discount code:

  • Visit www.sacramento.embassysuites.com and make a reservation using the group/convention code: POW
  • Call (916) 326-5000 and let the Front Desk Agent know you would like to make a reservation under the CPOW Civilian Prisoners of War discount rate.

Meeting Registration: CPOW 2023 Reunion Registration Form

Like to join CPOW? Link to the CPOW 2023 Membership Form

Checks should be made out to Civilian ex-POWs should be sent to CPOW Treasurer:

Cindie Leonard
1675 S. Lake Crest Way
Eagle, ID 83616

Some liberated STIC women and children

Some freed STIC internees with children, 1945 photo
This Associated Press photo appeared in many U.S. newspapers in February 1945, including The Spokesman Review, of Spokane, Washington. I’ve included the caption which appeared on 13 February 1945, page 20. This same photo appears on the cover of the video Victims of Circumstance.

CHILDREN AND MOTHERS SMILE AT FREEDOM: With three years of Santo Tomas internment camp life behind them these children and their mothers can still smile. From left to right,

  • Mrs. Howard [Mary] Schlereth and Linda, 5 of Columbus, OH
  • Mrs. Robert [Beatrice] Wabraushek and Leslie, 5 of Los Angeles, CA
  • Mrs. Tom [Susan] Yule, Rosalind, 6 and Sheila, 9 of Flushing, NY
  • Mrs. Paul [Janina] Malone, of New York, NY

They were freed when Manila was recaptured (S-R AP wirephoto)

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John H. Bradley, ex-STIC internee and author

John Hilton Bradley 1945 repatriationJohn H. Bradley was five-years-old when he and his parents were interned in Santo Tomás Internment Camp in January 1942. His father, Noble James Bradley, was born in Lyons, Indiana. His mother, Amelia Mary Langley, was born in Melbourne, Australia. They met in the Philippines and were married there in 1934. Noble, however, died shortly after liberation and John and his mother were repatriated on the S.S. David C. Shanks to Australia arriving in Townsville in April 1945. While in Leyte, John was given a U.S. Army captain’s helmet which he seems to have worn for his entire journey (see photo). They were part of a large group of Brits and Dutch arriving in Sydney.

After the War, John and his mother returned to the Philippines. Later, they traveled on to the U.S. to begin new lives. He is a graduate of West Point, the US Army Command & General Staff College, and Rice University (MA History), and is a retired Army officer and a Vietnam veteran. He has written, or co-authored, several books.

MacArthur Moon by John H. BradleyOne deals with Santo Tomás! Entitled MacArthur Moon, and published in 2021, it is an “enhanced” memoir built around Amelia’s memoir and John’s remembrances of internment in STIC. It is a huge compendium of stories, photos, facts and lists that cover the story of the Bradley family before, during and after the War and touches on many of the other internees. There is also a fair amount of military activity. It also has an index of those mentioned in the book and a bibliography. Overall, it is a gritty story of survival in the largest civilian internment camp in the Philippines.

It is available on Amazon.

Remind Me to Tell You by John BradleyAnother of his books deals with a 26th Cavalry officer who did not survive the war. Entitled Remind Me to Tell You, A History of Major Harry J. Fleeger and His Friends, POWs of the Japanese, it covers Fleeger’s actions and the actions of his friends on Luzon, Bataan, the Death March, Camp O’Donnell, Cabanatuan, etc. Published in 2010.  The book is based on Fleeger’s diaries. The appendices provide abundant data on the 26th Cavalry. Bibliography and “People Index” are also included.

It is also available on Amazon.

Angels and more

Following are some items relating to the civilian internment camps, liberation of the camps, the Battle of Manila, etc., and the many “Angels” who helped the internees survive. Click on any of the images to enlarge.

Angel of Santo Tomas 2022, byTammy Lee
A new children’s book was recently published by Tammy Lee titled The Angel of Santo Tomas. It tells the story of a Filipina doctor, Fe del Mundo, who administered add to the internee children for the Red Cross, in Manila, and at the Holy Ghost Children’s home. She later helped care for the wounded in the Battle of Manila.

Suggested for children ages 5 to 7.

 


Liberated U.S. Navy nurses in Honolulu, March 1945The U.S. Naval Institute recently published The Angelic Nurses of World War II on their website. This brief article tells of their ordeal after the Japanese invasion and in the camps. It has a few photos of the eleven U.S. Navy nurses liberated from Los Baños in February 1945. They were Lt. Mary Frances Chapman, Lt. Cmdr. Laura Mae Cobb, Lt. Bertha Rae Evans, Lt. Helen Clara Gorzelanski, Lt. Mary Rose Harrington, Lt. Margaret Alice “Peg” Nash, Lt. Goldia Aimee “Goldie” O’Haver, Lt. Eldene Elinor Paige, Lt. Susie Josephine Pitcher, Lt. Dorothy Still and Lt. Carrie Edwina Todd. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.


Civilians being collected for internment, 1942Mystery Woman
 
This photo shows a group of civilians being collected for internment in Santo Tomas in early 1942. Can anyone help identify the woman in front wearing the white gloves and dark glasses? If you recognize her, please reply using our Comments form. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.

 

 


Angels of Bataan – U.S. Army Nurses in Japanese Captivity, is a 45-minute audio recording by historian Mark Felton posted on YouTube.  He has written extensively on World War II topics and posted many videos and audio on Youtube.




The Angel of Santo Tomas drawing, 1943, J. E. McCall

Mrs. Patricia E. Intengan as “The Angel of Santo Tomás,” in the drawing by J. E. McCall, supplied by Caroline Bailey Pratt. This is Plate XXIX from the book Santo Tomás Internment Camp, 1945, by James E. McCall

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Los Baños Liberation 77th anniversary

Newly freed Los Baños internees

Some of the newly freed Los Baños internees (Carl Mydans photo)

One of the most successful air, water and land military operations was the rescue of more than 2,100 civilians interned in the Los Baños Internment Camp on Luzon. Also known as Camp #2, Los Baños was built by over 800 of the male internees to re-leave overcrowding at Santo Tomás. On the morning of February 23, 1943, members of the U.S. 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment boarded C-47s which were to drop them near the camp. Meanwhile, Army amtracs of the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion were on the way to transport the internees to freedom. Many Filipino guerrilla groups provided useful intelligence to the Americans and participated in the attack on the Japanese guards. Two internees, Freddy Zervoulakos and Pete Miles, who had escaped also gave useful information on the Japanese routines within the camp.

February 23, 1945, Time for roll call — 7:00 A.M.
“Listen! Quiet everyone! Is that thunder in the distance or airplanes”

“American or Japanese?”

“Oh, pray God their American…”

The very air seemed electric with excitement. Then one of the men called out, “They’re paratroopers!”

Everyone started pointing and screaming with joy. “They’ve come! They’ve come!” It became the vibrant song of heart and soul.
From Escape at Dawn by Carol Terry Talbot and Virginia J. Muir.

Ex-Los Banos internees aboard U.S. Army amtrac

Ex-Los Banos internees aboard U.S. Army amtrac

Dorothy Still and the other nurses and orderlies had peered cautiously outside as the amtracs entered the camp. They watched as the first ones flattened the barbed-wire fences and turned into the circular drive in front of the hospital. An Army major and a colonel jumped out. The colonel went back to talk to the amtrac crews while the major strode toward the front of the hospital. Dorothy went outside to greet him.

“Good morning, I’m Major Burgess. Who’s in charge here?”

“Dr. Nance is in charge,” Dorothy said.

Just then Nance walked out of the hospital.

Burgess told Nance that everyone had to get out of the camp as quickly as possible. They discussed the best way to evacuate the sick and elderly from the hospital and various barracks.

Dorothy couldn’t get over the sight of the U.S. soldiers, so much bigger and healthier than any men she had seen in years. They wore a new kind of helmet, not the “tin-pan things” of the First World War that were still being worn in 1941. And they all looked so lively and alert.

“Ma’am, what are you holding?” one of the soldiers asked.

Dorothy looked down at the bundle in her arms. She had forgotten she was holding baby Lois [McCoy], who was now fast asleep. She showed the soldier the sleeping baby, then went back into the hospital and gave Lois to her mother. She told the worried woman about the American soldiers right out front.

“They’ve come to take us home,” Dorothy said.

Outside, the amtracs dropped their tailgates, and the hospital patients and other nonambulatory internees were brought out. One of the first to be boarded was Margie Whitaker’s father, Jock, who was now down to eighty-five pounds and “on his last legs.”

During the gun battle earlier, Margie [Whitaker] and her younger sister, Betty, had hidden in their barracks under the bed. When the first U.S. soldier came through telling everyone to be ready to leave, Margie asked if the Marines had landed. After all, she had been waiting so long for this day.

“Sorry, sister, Army paratroopers.”

She and Betty rushed to the bathroom, where they brushed their teeth and washed their faces. The teenage girls – eighteen and fourteen years old – only then thought they were fit to be rescued.

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