Heads up for you history buffs: Wake Island

[Chevy454]

I thought I'd put a plug in for those history buffs out there, about a show tonight (Monday, Juen 2) on the History Channel at 8pm (central). It just so happens that one of my in-laws is one of the individuals they interview and take back to Wake Island. His name is John Johnson ("Johnny" to us), and he has one of the sharpest minds of anyone I've ever met, let alone someone of his age. I've not seen the program yet, but have heard lots of the stories from his days in WWII and as a POW, and it should prove to be VERY interesting. If you are half as interested in the history surrounding WWII as I am, then it should prove worth watching.

[JChlupsa]

Would like to know more about his being a POW. Can Email it to me if you like. I know POW's from both WWII and VietNam time frames. If he was part of the Battan Death March, I know 2 guys that were also part of it and their stories are shattering.

[whitetop]

My uncle was lucky(?) to be captured by the Germans versus the Japanese and was in a camp for about 11-12 months. He said the Germans treated them very well for the most part. Many of the German guards had close relatives in the US and were always asking about the hometowns of the troops and would ask if they happened to know them. Same could not be said how they treated the Russians though...

[T Billigen]

Terrific program!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[olredalert]

Hey HawaiianCamaro,

-------Have you ever read the book "My Hitch In Hell" by Les Tenney?He made it thru the Bataan death march as well as the whole rest of the war digging coal in Japan.His story is the most unbelieveably life affirming thing I have ever seen in print.I had the good fortune to meet Les on a European cruise a while back and we quickly became friends.If you can find the book on the web or at any major bookstore,grab it!You wont put it down,and you will want to make a trip to Arizona just to meet him.............Bill S

[JChlupsa]

A trip to Boarders is in store to pick it up. Will make some reading time on the plane later this month.

Mahalo

[Chevy454]

Honestly, I am a little less "learned" on some of the ground war stuff...since my grandfather was an armor in the 345th, my limited knowledge tends to lean more towards the bombers (17s, 25s, 24s, etc.). But, last nights program was a real eye opener. I had spoken to Johnny in the past about the Wake Island thing, but it was pretty much sensory overload with all of the sidebars he told me. Last nights show made things a LOT clearer for me, and should be a good foundation to build on the next time I talk to him.

I do remember him telling me that he was a POW for roughly 2(?) years, and that his diet consisted mainly of bugs for a while. He weighed 90 pounds when he was released.

[bbdon]

That was a great TV program. I watched, and I'm mad that we didn't get those Navy ships in there to reinforce our troops. I'm a former sailor myself, so it's not the first time I have been mad at the Navy.

[JoeG]

Very educating account about those brave souls on Wake Island. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif--Pity one commanding officer had the power to recall the on going rescue mission, only to be found lacking in judgement later on.--Again /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif