Congress Gets Claims Commission
Legislation in Closing Session
A bill setting up the machinery for the filing and
adjudication of damage claims of American prisoners of the
Japanese during the war was introduced in the closing days
before adjournment of the Seventy-Ninth Congress.
The legislation, vital to the future of thousands of
liberated prisoners of war, the heirs of those who did not
return and civilians, was introduced in the Senate by Dennis
Chavez, junior Senator from New Mexico, and in the House by
Antonio M. Fernandez, Representative at large from New
Mexico.
Carl A. Hatch, senior Senator from New Mexico, joined with
Senator Chavez in the introduction of the legislation while
Representative Ed V. Izac of California joined with Rep.
Fernandez to present a separate companion bill in the House.
Since the dark days when New Mexico's famous Coast Artillery
regiment was captured on Bataan, New Mexico's congressional
delegation have been active in the support of all relief
programs generated by the Bataan Relief Organization and its
affiliated groups throughout the nation.
Representative Izac is particularly concerned in the bill to
establish a Claims Commission, since as a veteran of World
War I, he received the largest Prisoner of War award granted
by the old Mixed Claims Commission, United States and
Germany. The Congressman is the only Medal of Honor man in
the Congress. His home is in San Diego, California.
The proposed legislation was introduced at the request of a
number of Bataan groups who have coordinated their effort in
a national activity for the purpose of concentrating on the
national phase of the movement in the interests of liberated
prisoners and heirs of the deceased. The introduction was
made in conjunction with the Claims Committee of Liberated
Military Personnel (Japan).
Elect Tixier New President
With the election August 13 of the full list of officers
reconversion of the Bataan Relief Organization into the
Bataan Veterans Organization is now complete and control of
the BRO has been formally turned over to the liberated
members of New Mexico's 200th C.A.
F. Foch Tixier was elected president with Edward E. Chavez,
vice president, Charlie Montoya, secretary and Joseph
Bandoni Treasurer.
The only contest came in the election of Treasurer when
William S. Horabin was nominated to oppose the candidacy of
Bandoni. Count of the ballots declared Bandoni winner by
only one vote.
With the officers also members of the Executive Committee,
others are Johnny Sedillo, William S. Horabin, Harry Steen,
Pat Varela, Orlando Montoya and Charlie Sanchez.
U.S. Army Officer Likes Japs
An American army officer defending five top-ranking Japanese
charged with war crimes contended Japan's sneak attack on
Pearl Harbor was no more mass murder than the atomic bombing
at Hiroshima, an AP dispatch from Tokyo declared.
The National Bulletin desires the name of that officer so
that he might receive from thousands of next of kin and
liberated prisoners opinions and expressions which might
alter his concern over dead Japs.
Death Notices
Liberated prisoners are urged to carefully read all death
notices and requests for information. Next of kin are
extremely anxious for any news concerning their boys who did
not get back. Be sure and write . . . make some mother happy
if you knew her son!
Sgt. Donald W. Burrell.
His mother would like to hear from friends who were with him
after leaving Camp No. 1, particularly
Major Fitch, Sgt. Jess
Finley and Earl Pyatt.
Pfc. Carl R. Capes, 7th
Mat. Sqd., Clark Field. Trained at Kirtland Field,
Albuquerque, N.M. Interned at Cabanatuan and Camp Hoten,
Mukden. We will appreciate any word concerning him. Mr. and
Mrs. G. C. Capes, 225 Naval Ave., Bremerton, Wash.
Lt. Harry Burton Black,
Pro. Tank Group. Reported to have died at Fukuoka camp on
Honshu Feb. 11, 1945. Will anyone who knew this officer in
Japan please contact his mother, Mrs. Harry Black, 520 East
Douglas St., Roseburg, Oregon.
George David Couch.
Commissioned a second lieutenant on Bataan. Interned at
Cabanatuan until transferred in October 1944 to Bilibid for
removal to Japan. Lost in December 1944 prison ship sinking.
Mother anxious to contact those who knew him on Corregidor.
Mrs. John H. Couch, 4222 N. Ashland, Chicago, Ill.
Lt. Col. Ralph T. Garver,
Headquarters Division, Philippine Dept. Killed on the Death
March, April 12, 1942. I would greatly appreciate hearing
from any of the returned boys who may have known my brother.
P. E. Garver, 386 Linden Ave., Glenn Ellyn, Ill. Phone—Glenn
Ellyn 1890.
Sipriano Griego is
advised that Sgt. Angus Steward
is at Bruns, Ward C-14. Griego, please write Chaplain
John J. Dugan at Cushing
General Hospital, Framingham, Mass.
Joseph Ambrose Halpin,
U.S.S. Canopus, Carpenters Mate 1st Class, U.S. Navy. His
sister would like to hear from any of the boys on this
submarine tender or knew him in prison camp where he died.
Mrs. Marjorie Kaufman, 7487 Wise Ave., Richmond Heights, Mo.
Cpl. Chas. W. Hanson,
USMC Hdqs. Co., 4th Marines in China. Captured on
Corregidor, moved to Bilibid and reported dead in prison
boat sinking Dec. 15, 1944. Anyone who was with him at any
time is asked to kindly contact his mother. She will deeply
appreciate it. Mrs. G. H. Pickrel, 214 Arapaho, Caldwell,
Kans.
Cpl. Frank Hlivjak, Co.
B, 31st Inf. Died July 1942 in unknown prison camp.
Musically inclined and played the violin. Information will
be greatly appreciated by his sister: Mary Demko, 9606 S.
Ridgeway Ave., Evergreen Park, Ill.
Russell M. Hoffman, Tech.
4th Grade. Died May 17, Camp O’Donnell. Served with 20th Air
Base at Nichols Field. Anyone knowing him please write his
mother, Mrs. Ethel Hoffman, 5205 East First St., Superior,
Wis.
John H. Hoover. PhM1-c,
4th Marines. Served on Corregidor and reported on Death
March. Taken to Bilibid prison and removed on prison ship in
October 1944 when he lost his life. His mother would be glad
to hear from anyone who knew him. Mrs. Fannie Hoover, 1137
West St., Grinnell, Iowa.
Thomas A. Hushbeck. Died
at Camp O’Donnell, May 18, 1942. His mother will welcome any
information. Mrs. Gertrude E. Hushbeck, Buffalo, Wyo.
Pfc. Robert A. Jackson,
Co. A, 31st Inf. Reported captured on Bataan, made the Death
March and died in Camp O’Donnell in May 1942. He had been
assistant company clerk, could type and played in basketball
games before war started. Almost 6 feet tall, blond hair,
fair skin and blue eyes. Any survivor of Company A who knew
him and could tell me any word or message at all please do
so. so far have not been able to contact any Co. A. men.
Mrs. W. C. Jackson, 2124 SW Taylor, Portland, Oregon.
Pvt. John N. Lougnot,
440th Ordnance Co., Clark Field. Interned at Camp No. 2,
Davao. Lost in sinking of prison ship, Sept. 1944. His
mother is seeking information regarding anyone who knew him.
Mrs. John R. Lougnot, 1229 Teall Ave., Syracuse, N.Y.
Major Thompson Brooke Maury III.
Left U.S. for Philippines in June 1941. Died on Japanese
prison ship bombed by U.S. forces in Subic Bay on Dec. 15,
1944. Was Adjutant and Group Commander at Cabanatuan Prison
Camp No. 1. Mother is writing sketch of his life. Would be
most grateful for any information about the fighting on
Bataan, and especially about her son. Mrs. Magruder Gordon
Maury, 5031 V St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
Harold J. McCann, Tech.
5th Grade, Inf. Wounded on Corregidor May 6, 1942, reported
to have died at Cabanatuan May 6, 1942. Please communicate
any information to his mother, Mrs. J. J. McCann, 301
Madison St., Everett, Wash.
1st Lt. Arthur J. McMahon,
Engineers’ Corp. Missing in action since May 6, 1942. Was a
resident in the Philippines when war broke out. Enlisted on
Jan. 27, 1942. Sister would like to hear from any of the
boys who knew him during the fighting, or afterwards in the
prison camps. (Miss) Hazel McMahon, 4550 Malden Ave.,
Chicago, Ill.
Sgt. Norman L. Nelson.
Died Cabanatuan prison camp June 10, 1942. We would be
grateful to any of his buddies who write us. Mother: Mrs.
Lena Nelson, 3314 Third Ave. North, Great Falls, Montana.
Colonel Hamilton Folts Searight,
F.A., commanding 31st Filipino F.A. Reported to have died on
March of Death, April 14, 1942. Eye witness details as to
his manner of death or any other information will be greatly
appreciated by his brother, Dan F. Searight, Walter Tips
Company, Box 55, Austin, Texas.
Sgt. Paul Dennis Shea,
17th Persuit Sqd., Nichols Field. Lost in sinking of prison
ship in October, 1944. His mother would like to correspond
with some boy who might have known him and could tell her
something about him. Mrs. Walter Dunn, 1706 W. Columbia
Ave., Battle Creek, Mich.
Pvt. Arthur Siegle, 680th
Ordnance Co. Reported to have died in prison camp July 31,
1942, at Cabanatuan as a result of malaria. I am sure he had
some buddies to return. I will deeply appreciate hearing
from them. Mother: Mrs. Christine Siegle, Fairfield,
Montana.
Private Henry M. Tarsa,
Co. F, 31st Inf. Reported to have died of dysentery, May 15,
1942, at Camp O’Donnell. Mother is anxious to hear from
anyone who knew her son. Mrs. Victoria Grycel, 2104 S.
Harding Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Samuel Thompson. Believed
to have been in the Air Corps stationed in Manila. Detroit
Bataan Club is seeking information for his mother. Please
write to Jean S. Howard, 3321 Vicksburg, Detroit, Mich.
Pvt. Walter O. Turner,
Battery B, 60th C.A.(AA), Ft. Mills, P.I. Reported killed
Dec. 19, 1941. No other information known. Mother and sister
anxious for any news. Write Mrs. H. R. Skinner, 315 Raleigh
St., Orlando, Fla. |