I have not read the book yet, but I would love to know, if anyone can tell me, did anyone else from the original crews make it back?? It looked like everyone, except Brickley/Bulkelly & Ryan/Kelly was left behind and that those left behind were pretty much doomed and about to fall into Japanese hands.
Does anyone know whether any of the other crew members survived??
I would love to know that, myself. I have looked up books about American guerrillas in the Philippiines and found references to PT Boat people. I believe that the Tyrone Power character in "American Guerilla in the Philippiines" (1950) was a PT boat captain. That movie was based on an authentic character, who did survive. I even wonder how many American guerrillas there actually were. Many of them were remained in hiding for the balance of the war. It was a desperate existance, at best.
shareDear rg121, From the tone of the rest of your posting, I'm sure you didn't mean to slap the rest of the survivors in the face by implying that they were just chillin' in the Phillipines while they racked up back pay. Even if you don't count the risk of being caught, surviving in the Phillipine jungle for almost three years doesn't add up to "just hiding out for the balance of the war". Many of these guys fought with the guerrillas; not an easy life even if they didn't get caught by the Japanese. Those who did were usually summarily beheaded. As for the Bataan Death March survivors, these guys' suffering only began with the Death March. Most who survived were interned in Cabanatuan, Santo Tomas or Intramuros and suffered horribly at the hands of their captors. Take a quick Google search for photos and stories of these guys. I wouldn't trade what they went through for all the back pay in the world. Is there any chance you would consider editing your post to omit the last sentence?
shareKimo46, I have taken your advice and edited the last sentence. It did read rather harshly, on second thought. I certainly did not intend disrespect to those brave men, who were unfortunate to have been caught in that situation, virtually abandoned by the United States. I was born in 1938 and served in the Marines as a young man. I served briefly in the Philippines. I have often wondered about the many never-to-be-told stories of that campaign. The last scene of this great film is one of the most poignant of any movie. It can be viewed on You Tube. Just inquire "last scene They Were Expendable." I have seen it many times. Thanks for your post. It surely was appropriate.
shareFrom what I've read, US POWs from WW2 did not get back pay for time they spent in the camps. Upon liberation, the war department re-instated them to their former rank, and paid them $1.00 per month for each month that they were "out of active service". Not sure what they did with the ones who took to the hills and continued with the guerillas. Kind of a slap in the face if you ask me, but it was nothing compared to what they endured while in captivity. Then they were fed until they couldn't hold any more and given priority transportation home.
shareWW2 POW's received back pay.
shareI was wrong! Upon futher investigation, I came across a POW compensation table that indicated the POWs were paid $1.00 a day of incarceration, not $1.00 a month like I had thought before. The average pay for a private in WW2 was about $50.00 a month, so their compensation was below what the regular pay would be, but it was better than nothing. I figure that they would be just happy to have access to the chow hall!
shareI just looked up a book I have about a colonel that was taken prisoner on Corregidor. He had 71,000 thousand on the books waiting for him. I have read other stories about prisoners receiving all their back pay. They might have also received 1 dollar for every day they were prisoner.
shareOfficers usually got the better deal than the enlisted men as usual. It seems that even back pay while being a POW was no different. Thanks for the info.
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