The Cumberland Clerk of Clark Field
The Japanese overtake Clark Field in the Philippines.
Remember – despite us moving forward with the wartime information, fighting was still going on in the islands we’ve left behind and men trying to survive captivity.
Confession: Part of the perils of conducting archival research far from home is that I get easily distracted. I’ll be plowing through piles of government documents looking for nuggets relevant to my next book, then I’ll stumble across an insanely cool story that I can’t help but to track down. This was the case this week while working at the MacArthur Memorial archives in search of material related to Paul “Pappy” Gunn. There I was, digging around in the collection when I came across a debriefing document related to a clerk named Corporal Joseph Boyland. So I love stories about unlikely folks who step up in moments of great turmoil and crisis to become bigger characters than their rank and role might lead you to believe. In Afghanistan in 2010, I met a quartermaster named Captain Andrew Alvord–who happened to be out commanding an air assault platoon composed of support troops like…
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Posted on July 15, 2016, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, History, Military, Military History, Philippines, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 30 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
It is always incredible to me the resolve to survive. The torture these men went through is appalling … yet to survive is amazing
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The human mind and body can endure much more than even the owner can imagine. I’m just sorry they had to endure so much.
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Another great story. Boyland’s personal fortitude and resourcefulness was was incredible.
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So true, Lavinia. I thank you for taking the time to read his story.
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Another intriguing story GP about survival during WW II. And I have to agree with John about the perils of research. 🙂 How often I find myself pursuing some story that is minimally related to what I am writing about! But that is half the fun of research, right? 🙂 –Curt
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Exactly, I think Forest Gump wasn’t just talking about life when he said, “…you never know what you’re goin’ to get.” I was addicted to research during my schooling (science orientated) and all the years trying to piece together this war. There ain’t no cure for what I got! 🙂
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Ditto. 🙂
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I liked your website with beautiful items.
I invite you to my blog:
http://dishdessert.wordpress.com
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By stopping in here, I can only hope you have an interest in history, because that is about all it deals with. Your recipes sound delicious, especially that seafood pizza!
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Yap, that’s in Pampanga and there’s a Clark Museum showcasing the weapons used during World War 2. Though rusted and some are in a state of decay, these weapons were formidable! I’ll be sharing what’s inside tge museum during our visit there about two weeks ago. 🙂
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Fantastic! I’m looking forward to it!!
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Horrible abuse and we worry about President O fixations,.,, too much
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But then again, Pres. O went to them and apologized – some people are teed-off that he didn’t get an apology in return.
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Good point sir!
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The President in fact did not apologize. He offered sympathy for the victims but no apology, as was reported in multiple print and media reports, including this one.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/05/27/obama-visit-hiroshima-bomb-site-pledges-no-apology/85022938/
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I remember several movies and TV shows with that (still surviving the war & not knowing it was “over”) central to the plot. Communication technology has progressed to the extent that most people seem to forget that there were days that we didn’t the instant contact of cell phones, let alone the time involved for information to get from place to remote place in the 40s and earlier. Lovely intro to an interesting post, GP. Hugs
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This site does very good research into each one of the posts. I appreciate you reading it.
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Really good story. Thank you!
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I thank you for reading.
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My pleasure!
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What a tale. Every time I read one of your posts, i’m reminded how many stories like this there must be. Not all get told, but every one deserves the telling. Thanks for sharing it.
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I know what you mean, Linda! I keep hunting, and I’ve located so many, but it just isn’t possible to put them all down. It breaks my heart that so many need to skipped over. The more I learn about this generation, the more I am overwhelmed by them!!
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I love what John says about research–plowing through piles of research (probably on a deadline), moving along nicely probably, until some nugget grabs one’s attention and we get lost for hours. Yeah, I understand!
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That part grabbed me too, Jacqui. How often that does happen, eh?!!
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A very interesting tale of a man who took the best advantage from bad circumstances. Even though he died in a tragic accident, he did well to escape, and enjoy many years of peace at home.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s correct, Pete. He was quite ingenious getting himself out; perhaps, (unfortunately), his guard was down once he came home.
Thanks for dropping by.
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sorry mist be thanks
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No problem – I knew what you meant!
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Great post.hanks for all your visits
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I appreciate that, Mary Lou!
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