Posted on 06/21/2011 4:49:22 AM PDT by Daffynition
GLOUCESTER—
— James Downey Jr., who survived the infamous Bataan Death March in 1942 and became an inspiration to his family, died Monday. He was 96 years old.
Downey served with the Army's 26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts, a decorated unit that still rode horses into battle in the early days of World War II. Half-Filipino by birth, his mother was of Philippine and Spanish heritage and his father was from Augusta County, a cavalry officer who fought in the Spanish-American War.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtkr.com ...
my own Uncle Vin, passed last week a few weeks short of 90...he flew in B-17s over Germany during the war....
Dad Died almost 5 years ago now...he fought on Guadalcanal and Bougainville....
Bless the greatest generation.
I now live in the Philippines, but memory of the horrors of WW2 in all of the Pacific are only from books and films.
I was a new born baby in Tennessee, living in great comfort then.
From what I understand, the Bataan death march was a scene from Hell. God rest Mr. Downey
Every time I see this book(Ghost Soldiers) I think of High Pockets!!
Common men. Uncommon valor.
It’s up to us to keep their memory/sacrifices alive.
We’re the battling bastards of Bataan.
No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam,
No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces,
No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces
And nobody gives a damn
That anyone survived has to be a miracle, in its own right.
Which is why I am in awe of men like Downey.
My uncle Mike was wounded at Pearl Harbor, saw most of his platoon die; he was due to be discharged; healed in hospital, re-uped and was sent to Luzon to command a different group of heroes, died of his wounds, protecting his men. Gram always told the story about how he so loved MacArthur. Bless them all.
My father in law fought in the Phillipines. He was tough as nails, loved America and hated the Japanese. He’s been dead almost 20 years. It’s ironic, I’ve known so many of the Marine and soldiers who were veterans of the Pacific theater and almost to a man they all share an intense hatred of the Japanese. However, in my Marine Corps experience I did a lot of training with Japanese self defense forces and spent a lot of time in Japan. I like the Japanese and respect their military. But I understand why these veterans hate them.
I can respect that.
“Gram always told the story about how he so loved MacArthur. Bless them all.”
___________________________________
I have never been to Luzon, not even landed in Manila.
I have no desire to go north of Visayas, but I would like to see the MacArthur monument some day.
Grandpa fought in the ETO (he was particularly glad when Truman dropped the big one, as he was slated to go to Japan, next). Still hated the Japanese. When his daughter (my aunt) came to visit driving her new Mitsubishi, he suggested that she park the car around the back, behind the house, where no one would see it.
He was only joking, but not really.
AFAIC, there's nothing wrong with a good grudge. People forgive and forget too easily, nowadays.
I read that the last real cavalry charge made by the US Cavalry was at Bataan by this group. They attacked a company of Japanese with the M1911 .45 in hand and the Japanese were routed.
We lost a NM Bataan survivor last week. 1800 NM National Guard were captured, and over 900 survived.
Annual Bataan Memorial Death March
Photo: Courtesy of the National Museum of the USAF
Bataan Death March - April 9, 1942
Interestingly, Grandpa didn't share any of that hatred of the Germans. He blamed the Nazis, the government, but not the people - in general, be spoke highly of them. Particularly of the German dentist who fixed his teeth, and whose bridgework lasted almost 50 years (try finding work that good in today's times.... )
However, he once told me that after visiting a concentration camp, he had no doubt as to who the good guys were, or why he was overseas.
RIP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.