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."

[Jen]

Victoria, Misty and I consider you family too. We care about you and your health.

[Jen]

Thank you Amy for stopping in! But, no joke for us tonight?

[The Real Deal]

Me either!

[JustAmy]

Good Evening!
It's great to see you tonight. (Don't know if you are still here. LOL)

Has anyone seen that little mouse?

[sarasmom]

Sorry about what happenned to your state.I heard there used to be a sign at the border...

"you are welcome to visit, but don't even think about moving here."LOL

[Jen]

That is so cute! My daughter's kitty actually did that not long ago. I wish I'd had the camera handy. It was so funny.

[SAMWolf]

Thank you Just Amy.

[Jen]

I'm headed to bed. I'll see y'all in the morning for a little while before I head to AL for the weekend. I'll pop in throughout the weekend as I'm able to sneak away and get online! My family thinks I'm addicted to FR and tries to keep me occupied with other stuff!

[SAMWolf]

OK, it's gang up on SAM night. Thanks for thinking of me.

[SevenofNine]

Well well UK Telegraph reporting that Mossad is traning Iraqi oppsotion groups and US special forces on rough and tumble weather climate of Iraq you know Summer going be there in few months

IT GOING BE HOT so Mossad teach US soldiers how stay cool

Also BBC wire reporting that US soldier got whack by gun fire by known Al Quada perps according to US Pentagon at this late hour

[JustAmy]

I'll check to see what jokes I have and post one on my next visit. May not be until Sunday ..... I really need to get ready for Christmas.

[SAMWolf]

That only applied to Californian's. LOL

It's a beautiful State, just too many Liberals up here.

[SAMWolf]

Good Night, AntiJen

[The Real Deal]

It takes along time to read this thread everyday. I'm afraid that I am addicted to it.

[The Real Deal]

Cool!

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News

BAGRAM, Afghanistan — A shootout with enemy forces in Afghanistan left a U.S. soldier dead on Saturday, the U.S. military said.

Reporting from Bagram Air Force Base, the military reports that while on patrol in the eastern province of Paktika, the soldier's unit came under fire.

The firefight started "when enemy forces engaged U.S. forces at approximately 4 a.m.," the statement said. The soldier was taken to a forward operating base in eastern Afghanistan and died during surgery.

Two other soldiers were injured in two separate incidents in the last 24 hours, the statement said, without elaborating.

Fifteen U.S. servicemen have been killed in combat or hostile situations in Afghanistan since the U.S.-led anti-terror campaign began last autumn. The most recent fatality was on May 19.

Two U.S. Special Forces soldiers and their Afghan interpreter were injured in the capital Tuesday when an Afghan man hurled a grenade at their unmarked jeep on a crowded street. That attack was the first-ever grenade attack on American forces in Kabul.

[The Real Deal]

May God go with you. I will pray for both yours and Sam's Dad.

[The Real Deal]

Thank you!

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Raw Deal. The prayers are appreciated.

[MistyCA]

Thank you for that compliment. I love the graphics but get nervous that it might slow down viewing for some people and I do not want to discourage people from coming here because of the graphics. They certainly do tell a picture without words, however!

Yes, I do understand the many designations when it comes to Veteran groups. My husband is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, as is my brother. They are also interested in the VFW and American Legion. My husband was probably the only kid (in our area) who marched in the American Legion marching band. He was still in school. I will be getting a lifetime membership in the VVA Auxillary. I am not a vet. Does the VFW also have an Auxillary? Perhaps you can do something to create that third tier of membership that you mentioned. Sounds like a great idea to me!