NEW BATAAN CLUB

A new group has recently been formed under the title, Detroit Bataan Club, according to information from Domenic Ferrari, 12525 Waltham Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, who is acting secretary of the organization. Congratulations and best wishes for success is extended by the National Bulletin.

BRO “Bulletin,” Vol. IV, No. 1-2-3, May-June-July, 1946.

Jack Finley

1921 - 2002

Jack Finley was the son of Jesse Finley who, when he arrived at Camp O'Donnell, stood watch at the gate until the last prisoner came through watching for Jack. Jack had escaped the Death March and taken refuge with Guerrillas. Eventually his luck ran out and he was captured. At Cabanatuan, 18 months after the surrender, Jesse learned his son was alive and being held at Bilibid in Manila.

See notes for J.B. Heard

“I guess from now on our communication will be through daily prayers for peace and the welfare of our men.”

— Letter from Jack Fleming to his wife dated Feb. 14, 1942

See: 3 Jacks & A Joker

Prisoner of the Japs

JAN. 11, 1943 — Cpl. Pinex Fletcher, well known Pecos Valley resident who was with the 200th Coast Artillery in its heroic defense of the Philippines, has been reported a prisoner of the Japanese in a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. Hattie Fletcher of Dexter, from the War Department. Before entering service on April 2nd, 1941, he officiated in many basketball games in Roswell and other valley communities. He was formerly a basketball player at Hagerman High.

— Roswell Daily Record

A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Fletcher was liberated from Hoten POW Camp in Mukden, Manchuria. After 3-1/2 years as a POW, he arrived in Seattle on October 28, 1945 on board the M.S.S. Klipfontein. Mr. Fletcher died October 16, 1989.

Former POWs on M.S.S. Klipfontein, Seattle, 1945.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle [PI28313].

Tommy Foy

“I saw some of the most atrocious acts committed by a human being on another one . . . for many many years I didn’t even tell my family . . . I shall never forget . . . what they did to a number of my best friends that were left over in the Philippines; that died over there; that had great futures if they were allowed to return home.”

— Thomas P. Foy, Jr.

fmr. State Rep., Grant County

H & F Btry.(s) 200th CA(AA)

“In Their Own Words” by Jim Terr for Blue Canyon Productions — A remarkable video that captures the human experience of World War II.

Copies of this video were distributed to ALL New Mexico public libraries, junior high, and high school libraries.

Frank Franchini

Just liberated from the prisoner of war camp at Cabanatuan, Franchini's happiness is evident.

Three Albuquerque Heroes