The Japanese Soldier That Got Dad

I wonder though if your father met my grandfather. As far as I know, my grandfather was a POW in Luzon with other Filipino soldiers. Since your father and his comrades help free the POWs, on behalf of my grandfather, I salute both you and your father.

 

My name is Laird Wilcox and I have posted here before. My father was in the 37th Infantry Division, 129th Infantry Regiment, Company I from March 23, 1945 and was wounded in the drive of the Cagayan Valley at Bayombong on 7 June 1945. He was also in the battle for Baguio. He survived the war and died in 1997 at the age of 79. He never talked about the war much but did leave a bunch of letters he sent to my mothers and a couple of sheets telling where he was and when during his time overseas from February 1945 until shortly after he was wounded and flown back to California.

During the last five years I've undertaken a project to assemble the best library I could on Dad's unit - the 129th Infantry Regiment. There are still a number of books out there -- many out of print and expensive -- but I've got them all and would be happy to look things up for members and photocopy relevant material if appropriate.

I do have a question. Is Jim Cox still around? I noticed that his website was down. I corresponded with him a couple of years ago and he was very helpful.

The books are:

1. The 37th Infantry Division in World War II, by Stanley A. Frankel. 1948. Infantry Journal Press. 397 pp. Covers period from prewar WWII to the final mustering out in 1945. Very good divisional history. Out of print. Paid $100 for used copy.

2. Minuteman: The Military Career of General Robert S. Beightler, by John Henry Ohl. 2001. Lynne Rienner Publishers. Detailed and somewhat revealing biography of the leader of the 37th Division all throughout WWII. Out of Print. Paid $50 for used copy.

3. The 129th Infantry in World War II, by The Regimental Staff. 1947. Infantry Journal Press. Lots of information and list of all soldiers who served during the war. Out of Print. Very hard to find.

4. Memoirs of a Groundpounder, by Jacob Close. 1999. Jacob Close. Nicely done self-published with many photos. Close served in the 129th Infantry through the war. Gives lots of details. Currently available. Think I paid maybe $30 for mine.

5. The Golden Cross: A History of the 33rd Infantry Division in World War II. 1948. The 33rd Infantry Historical Committee. This is included because part of the 129th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Division was attached to the 33rd for about two weeks during the Battle for Baguio. Their account of that period may contain information on 129th soldiers. Typical Regiment history of unit that fought in the Philippines. Photos. Available used for $50.00.

6. From Hell to Surrender: The Story of a Young WWII Soldier Going to War in the Philippines, by Corbett W. Clark, Major, U.S. Army. 2002. Hawkeye Publishing. Story of a soldier who served from 1942 in a Georgia National Guard unit, sent to invade the Philippines in August 1944 and stayed through to the end of WWII. He served in an artillery battalion in the 32nd Infantry Division. He has quite a few interesting experiences and observations. Availabled for around $15.00.

7. Boy Soldier: Coming of Age During World War II, by Russell E. McLogan. 1998 Terrus Press.
This is a very readable book, well written and full of historical information that explains where the writer is, the local situation and gives some very detain descriptions of what is going on. It is a good read just on that basis alone. McLogan wound up the Infantry Replacement Center at Ft. Hood, TX for training in early 1944. By January 1945 he was headed to Ft. Ord, California ready for deployment and off he went taking the usual trip by troop trasport across the pacific, along the New Guinea coastline and on up to Tacloban on Layte Gulf. From there they would eventually wind up in or near Manila in the 6th Infantry Division. A lot of unusual things happened that he recornts, including American troops being hit by friendly fire from the Mexican Air Force. He also mentions a case where Black American soldiers attacked a group of white soldiers over some Filipino prostitutes. It was a tumultuous time, no question. Entertaining reading, the book is available for about $25 and is being sold on Amazon.

That's all I know of for now (May 2013) Laird Wilcox lwilcox3 at aol.com might reach me if you use @ instead of at and scrunch the letters closer

If you type the area code 913 and then 558 followed by 8832 may might be able to reach me by phone. Otherwise write to Laird Wilcox, 16515 W. 133rd St., Olathe, KS 66062 and I'll try to answer. They're funny about leaving addresses here.

 

Laird, it's good to see you post again. Those are great book recommendations. I do have the first 4 books you mention and may also track down the 33rd Division history which I believe has been reprinted. The 37th Division history can be obtained as a reprint from the 37th Division Association. Since it is a reprint, it is only about $40, unless I am mistaken.

I also tracked down some regimental reports and journals while I was at the Eisenhower Presidential Library last year. Some is pretty mundane and some is pretty interesting.

Jim Cox was last on the Forum 26 July 2012. I never communicated with him except through posts. I hope he is doing well and is just busy. I was also disappointed to find that his website was no longer functioning. That is a loss for those interested in the 129th. If you find out anything, I would be very much interested.