Client Spotlight
Earle's Story
by Penny Amack
Earle with his medals
Earle was drafted into the Army in March, 1941 and stationed in El Paso. The following September he was on a boat to the Philipines to wait for the Japanese. The wait didn't take long.
As Earle moved with his troops through complete darkness into a town on Bataan Peninsula on Christmas Eve, he spotted a tree lit up with white lights. He discovered the tree was covered in lightning bugs. Earle was convinced God had decorated this little "Christmas tree" to remind him that he was not alone that night.
After being wounded by shrapnel, Earle was acting as the directional finder with an anti-aircraft battery. The troops moved to the small island of Cabollo. As the men waited in a cave they knew their chances of capture were certain.
The men in Earle's platoon found themselves in the "Death March." Dysentery soon set in among the men, including Earle. The only doctor, a dentist, gave medicine only to those he thought would survive; Earle didn't receive medicine until the second day. He subsequently recovered, only to contract it again.
On July 17, 1944, Earle and men from every branch of the military were force to board a ship for Japan. The men designated these as "Hell Ships", for they were stowed away in a "hold" that led below deck. The quarters were cramped, unsanitary and stifling environments.
In the years that Earle and his buddies spent as prisoners of war "they were always hungry." Thirst, fleas, broken ribs, sunburn and extreme cold were also norms in captivity. Their labor consisted of heavy lifting and filling holes made from bombs on the runways.
Earle prayed as his mother taught him. Every morning, he prayed for mental and physical strength to get through the day, and each night he thanked God for getting him through the day. He never prayed for protection.
Earle made a little book out of cigarette packages from the Red Cross. He recorded names of fellow prisoners, dates, and recipes, as that was much of the conversation of the men in the evenings. That little book made it home with Earle and he gave it to one of his grandchildren years later.
Earle and his fellow soldiers were grateful for the bombs America dropped, for it saved their lives. The Japanese had made large tunnels to hold the American troops in case their countymen set foot on Japanese soil. The intent was to blow up the tunnels with the American soldiers inside. Earle and his fellow soldiers knew the war was over and they would make it when the lights went on in a nearby town.
For the first time in 3 1/2 years, Earle took his first shower with soap, was sprayed for insects, received new clothing, and tasted his first American meal. He remembers the green peas among the cuisine as a "pretty sight". Sleeping on fresh clean sheets that night made an impression on Earle.
One thing Earle wants everyone to know - he has never, nor does he to this day, hold any animosity towards the Japanese people. A man of courage, perseverance and faithful service to his country, Earle leaves a legacy for all of us. Thank you Earle for your service, and may God bless you!
Earle and Keith Louise