The FReeper Foxhole Profiles The American Ex-Prisoner of War Organization - Dec. 20th, 2002

American Ex-POW Organization ^

[SAMWolf]

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A brief history of the
American Ex-Prisoner of War Organization

In 1942, information was leaking out about the atrocities and sub-human treatment that American prisoners of war were receiving in Japanese prison camps in the Pacific. When wives and mothers heard about their sons and husbands who had been taken prisoners, they started calling and writing their Congressmen in an effort to find help or get assistance for their loved ones. Finally, two mothers whose sons were members of the 200th Coast Artillery and had been captured by the Japanese came up with an idea.

It was Mrs. Charles W. Bickford and Mrs. Fred E. Landon who, on April 10, 1942, persuaded other parents and relatives to hold a mass meeting and formed an organization to get relief to the captured boys on Bataan. On April 14th, the Bataan Relief Organization was formed with Dr. V. H. Spensley, of Albuquerque, as Chairman. Their motto was "We will not let them down."

This group was very active trying to get relief to the POW’s and exchange of information as it came through. From this group in Albuquerque, other chapters sprang up all over the United States. The "BRO" was incorporated September 8th, 1943.

In 1945, the control of the Bataan Relief Organization was turned over to the liberated members of the New Mexico’s 200th Coast Artillery Regiment at an annual meeting held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1946, the name was changed to Bataan Veteran’s Organization.

The first National convention was held May 14, 1948, in Albuquerque. The second National convention was held in Hollywood, California, April 1949. At this convention, it was voted to change the name to American Ex-Prisoners of War and change the name of the bulletin to XPOW. The reason for the change was so veterans from the European Theater would realize that they were eligible for membership. By changing the name to American Ex-Prisoners of War, it would welcome all former POW’s from any war. There were 800 at the 1949 convention.

In 1949 there were 7 local groups within the framework of the organization:

The Bataan Veteran’s Organization, The Lost Battalion

The Seattle Barbed Wire Club, Orphans of the Pacific

The Dad MacMannis Post, The Southwest Barbed Wire Club

The Barbed Wire Club of North Carolina.

Click on the Logo to Visit Their Site

The AX-POW emblem was designed as a lapel pin by former prisoner of war, Bryan T. Doughty of Denver, Colorado, in 1949. The heraldic symbols, representing Justice, are balanced on swords. The curves at the top of the shield portray the two massive military defeats suffered by the United States Armed Forces in World War II: Bataan and the Belgium Bulge. Later, the Ex-POW motto was adopted: NON SOLUM ARMIS, Latin for "Not by Arms Alone."

[MistyCA]

I agree. Been there....done that. :)

[MistyCA]

Thanks so much for coming in today. I hope to see you here again tomorrow! The threads are fascinating and very helpful, imo. They do what they are meant to do...stir our emotions. Wouldn't it be nice if more students read this stuff?

[MistyCA]

[MistyCA]

[MistyCA]

[MistyCA]

[SAMWolf]

Those are some great POW/MIA Graphics Misty

[katnip]

Thank you for pinging me to this thread Jen, I read it but don't ever have much to say.
Just wanted to let you know I appreciate the ping ;)

[MistyCA]

thanks so much for reading the thread and commenting. We appreciate knowing you are there. Come and visit with us as often as you can. :)

[SAMWolf]

I'd like ask everyone to say a prayer for my Dad, he's in the hospital tonight, he had a blocked artery and it's been cleared and he should be home tomorrow.

Thank you.

[MistyCA]

Thanks, Sam. I told you I had a few! :)

[MistyCA]

Prayers on the way, Sam! Tell him thanks for having such a great kid! :)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Misty, he and Mom managed to raise 4 great kids.

[Aura Of The Blade]

I always enjoy reading the various themes and accompanying stories, as it is a way of paying tribute to those who should never be forgotten.

After reading about a recent thread about the vet with heart problems, I thought I was having a heart attack today, lol.

[sarasmom]

MistyCa, I really dont think students without millitary exposure would get a lot out of this info, but I could be wrong.

Stirring emotions...interesting goal.

On my first(and last) orientation flight, two of my squadron pilots ate a mountain on a peacetime training flight.I will never forget the repeated radio calls for "downed airmen please reply".For the first and last time in my career, my pilot was able to withhold information from me untill we landed.The successive shocks of finding out who,when,how etc, and overhearing the duty Ops officer say "the dumb F##ks", when I knew he was a close personal friend of one of the dead pilots, was probably the most important pivotal experience in my entire 8 years.

As a 201X0, I would rarely be subject to combat threats, unless forward deployed.But I learned quickly to put the mission first, the pilot second, while doing everything possible, both IAW regulations or sometimes skirting it, to give my pilots the best chance of coming back to base, mission complete, man alive.To be professional enough to learn to save my individual,but collective shared grief for dead airmen, for some future, private time,taking small bites of a bitter meal.

I served in peacetime, Cold War.I felt like a worm to be a civilian in the last war with Iraq.I feel the same way now.Oh I know I did my service and should not subject myself to futile "emotions" of wondering if the men and women who have replaced me in my previous "job" are getting it right.After all, I trained some of them, and I know some are as good, and most are even better. I know a few vets must "emotionally feel" the same as I do.

May God Bless all the men and women who are actively involved in fighting this war.

May God have mercy on the souls and sanity of those of us who are only there in spirit.

[luv2ndamend]

Do not know if you seen this yet. Footage shot from an US Air Force Special Forces AC-130 Gunship, complete with voice traffic from the gunner, the tower and someone who sounds like a spotter.





http://www.sudoers.com/AC130_GunshipMed.wmv

[Aura Of The Blade]

Sorry to hear about your Dad. I didn't see it before posting my previous post.

[Victoria Delsoul]

It was Christmas. They were not at home. But they declared, “Next year we will be! All of us!” And they were!

Here, here! Thanks for the great info, Sam.

[Victoria Delsoul]

My prayers are with your dad, Sam. . May God place His Healing Hand on him for his fast recovery.

[Light Speed]

Prayer bump for your dad Sam....They grow them tough back in the old country.
My Grandad[From Poland] was very vigorous in his old age.
He worked for the City..and would bring home every stray dog that crossed his path for my mom...she loved that part...Grandma had kanniptions over his find a pet a home habit.
Their community was very close...Jews..Germans..Ukranians...Poles...Italians,all neighbours...all friends.
Grandad would say.."If you like to eat..this is the place"

Best wishes on a speedy recovery for your dad Sam.