Latest content added for UNT Digital Library Location: Myanmar - Mon - Mawlamyine District - Thanbyuzayat

Oral History Interview with B. D. Fillmore, October 9, 1973

2020-01-24T21:06:17-06:00

Interview with B. D. Fillmore, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Jacksboro, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion") by Japanese forces on Java. Fillmore discusses joining the Guard and mobilization, deployment to the Pacific, diversion to Java and operations at Malang, the Japanese invasion and American surrender, internment at Tanjung Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, transfer to Thanbyuzayat and work on the Burma Railway, and liberation. In appendix are Fillmore's Japanese prisoner records, and War Department reports on his missing status and health.

Oral History Interview with James W. Huffman, April 11, 1990

2019-10-31T23:32:21-05:00

Interview with James W. Huffman, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from Los Angeles, California, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Huffman discusses joining the Navy; service aboard the Houston and changes in training as war neared; early operations in the war; the Battle of Sundra Strait and sinking; surviving in Java; capture by the Japanese; various experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat, several camps on the Burma Railway, and Tamarkan in Thailand; and liberation.

Oral History Interview with John C. Reas, June 23, 1998

2019-10-31T23:32:21-05:00

Interview with John Reas, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from New Albany, Indiana, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Reas discusses his assignment to the Houston and prewar operations in the Pacific, the start of the war and convoy duty, being bombed by 54 Japanese planes, the Battle of Sunda Strait, the sinking, capture by the Japanese, experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Thanbyuzayat, work on the Burma Railway, the USS Houston Survivors List, liberation, and life after the war. In appendix is the USS Houston Survivors list, letters of his regarding the list, brief accounts written by Reas of different experiences in the war, a letter by Lanson H. Harris confirming how the list was given to OSS officers, and a photo of Reas' wallet that he carried through the war.

Oral History Interview with Howard Charles, March 25, 1998

2019-07-28T10:10:11-05:00

Interview with Howard Charles, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Partridge, Kansas. Charles discusses growing up in the Great Depression; joining the Marine Corps and training; assignment to the USS Houston (CA-30) at Manila as a heavy machine gunner and events before the war; the Battle of Sunda Strait and sinking of the Houston; capture by the Japanese and being held at Serang, Java; experiences in internment and forced labor at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, various camps along the Burma Railway, and Saigon; liberation; psychological treatment, trauma, and adjusting to civilian life. In appendix is a letter written by Charles to Marcello including additional information for the interview.

Oral History Interview with Lawrence Brown, March 13, 1974

2019-07-28T10:10:11-05:00

Interview with Lawrence Brown, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas. Brown was a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment (the "Lost Battalion"): he recounts working during the Depression; mobilization; deployment to the Philippines and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th, 1941; arrival at Sangosari, Java; the Japanese invasion and American surrender; experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, several work camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Saigon; and liberation.

Oral History Interview with George P. Lawley, November 3, 1973

2019-07-28T10:10:11-05:00

Interview with George P. Lawley, an Army WWII veteran and POW from Odessa, Texas. Lawley discusses his time with the so-called "Lost Battalion" on Java and his experiences as a Japanese prisoner-of-war, including: joining the National Guard in 1940 and training, deployment for East Asia with 2nd Battallion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment; diversion to Java at the start of the war; the Japanese attack and his unit's capture; and his experiences in internment and labor at Tanjong Priok in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat and several camps on the Burma Railway, and near Nagasaki.

Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981

2019-07-28T10:10:11-05:00

Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Hughes Springs, Texas. Summerlin discusses his experiences as a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, or the "Lost Battalion" of the 36th Infantry Division, including: being drafted in 1940 and training; deployment to East Asia and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th; assignment to Sangosari Airfield, Malang, Java; the Japanese assault and American surrender; internment and labor at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat and several camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Bangkok; liberation, and recovery in Calcutta.

Oral History Interview with Lester C. Rasbury, June 1978

2019-02-16T21:54:29-06:00

Interview with Lester C. Rasbury, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas. Rasbury discusses his experiences as a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"), including: joining the service and training; the Louisiana Maneuvers; deployment to East Asia in 1941; diversion from the Philippines to Brisbane after December 7th; assignment to Malang, Java; the Japanese attack and American surrender; internment and labor at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat and several camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Tamarkan; liberation.

Oral History Interview with Arthur B. Clark, September 29, 2000

2014-07-15T05:33:31-05:00

Interview with Arhtur B. Clark, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Abilene, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery. Clark discusses joining the National Guard, training and maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and surrender to the Japanese, experiences in internment at Tanjong Priok in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, labor on the Burma "Death" Railway, and liberation. The interview includes an appendix with a reference page and a written flight log by Col. Tom Sledge.

Oral History Interview with Jack Moss, July 19, 1970

2012-06-06T21:51:53-05:00

Interview with Jack Moss, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran from Amarillo, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Moss discusses joining the the Guard and deployment to the Pacific, the fall and capture of Java, his experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, partaking in forced labor on the Burma-Thailand "Death" Railway, and liberation.