I am lucky to be here. 73 years ago on the island of Palawan the Japanese committed a terrible atrocity. They murdered 139 American POWs. There were 150 POWs at the camp, one of whom (Rufus Smith) was my great grandfather. He managed to survive the ordeal. I never met him. I wish I had but he probably wouldn't have wanted to talk about it. I very well could not be here...he very well could have been lost in the horrific event. Count your blessings people.
Exactly! Sorry no one commented on your post. I am just now seeing it, but come here daily. We WWII descendants are all blessed to be here. We often take much for granted.
Cheers Eagle, thanks for sharing this. What is the technical issue? I'll send you and email to consolidate the accounts and restore your access.
I reckon that is the same sentiment shared by all the vets (and their subsequent decedents) of the PTO when it was learned that the US dropped the two atom bombs and the Japanese surrendered. Lots of altered timelines and scenarios there if you want to consider it that way. Sorry, I've been watching a lot of "The Twilight Zone" and "Outer Limits" reruns lately. Do you have any stories of you grandfather's experience in the Philippines?
I can tell ya that he was close enough to being caught that he could smell the nearest Jap, and that on his swim he got attacked by a shark. I can tell you how sometimes I have nightmares where I'm in his shoes during the horrific occurrence. I've read 2 books on it and my imagination is very good at putting scenarios together. I wish it weren't...honestly sometimes I wonder if I'm sane because of it. I'm 17 years old and I will never be able to get it out of my head.
Interesting story. This is the first time I've heard about this horrific event. And it's good to see a descendant of a survivor.
