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

American Ex-POW Organization ^

[SAMWolf]

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Click on the pix

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."

[Jen]

You are most welcome! I'm glad you enjoy the thread.

[MistyCA]

I am moved by your post. Thank you so much for writing it. Thank you for your service. I think there are few things about the military that do not stir our emotions. Some of the very best and the very worst of human nature can be expressed through the subject matter that is under discussion on these threads. I can't imagine that some very deep emotions are not stirred when we examine some of the issues. It is my hope that people are encouraged to express themselves and tell their stories and the stories of those they are close to or know of. I don't agree that students need to be directly exposed to military in order to benefit from these discussions. I was never in the military and I am very moved by the things that I read here. I have a deep respect for your contribution and service. Thank you.

[Jen]

Prayers for your dad's recovery, Sam.

[Jen]

Thank you for this thread Sam.

And God bless all the men and women in uniform who have ever been held captive by our enemies. They are American heroes.

<==== Click
"Hero" by Mariah Carey

[Jen]

Thanks for the news update!

[MistyCA]

amazing! Thanks. I had not seen that.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Aura of the Blade. There is so much the Veternas before us did to ensure we can live the way we do today.
They were mostly ordinary people whose indivdual stories are know to so few.

[Jen]

Hi guys. Sorry I haven't been here much today. I was so tired today that I slept most of the day. I'm going to AL for the weekend to be with my folks.

To those who don't already know... I found out last night that my dad has advanced lung cancer which has spread to other organs and the docs give him 3-6 months to live. Prayers are appreciated.

[Jen]

Appreciate the bumps!

[Jen]

I'll see if I can't get in touch with that uncle who used to tell me these stories.

I hope you will share with us what you find out.

[SAMWolf]

Thanskj for sharing your feelings with us sarasmom.

I thank you for your service and serving during the Cold War helped defeat the Soviet Union, so don't think your service means any less than someone elses.

[SAMWolf]

Evening Victoria, like the graphic!

[Light Speed]

The 494th..."The Panthers" part of 48th FW out of Lakenheath England.
Currenty:Operation Northern Watch over Iraq.

Aardvarks from Lakenheath led the EL Dorado Canyon raids into Libya in 1986...following on to the gulf in Desert Storm

[Jen]

Hi there! Thanks for the bump and for visiting the Foxhole.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for your well woshes and prayers. I'll be sure to pass them on to my dad when I talk to him tomorrow.

[SAMWolf]

Prayers on the way Jen. Hopefully the Doctors are wrong, it wouldn't be the first time.

[MistyCA]

Beautiful graphic, Victoria. Thanks.

[Jen]

Thank You to you and all the men who served in Vietnam:

<==== Click
"Welcome Home"

[MistyCA]

Hey, Jen! :)

[Jen]

201x0 - air operations systems management specialist?