POW/MIA ceremony honors heroes

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Janet Haliburton
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Thunderbolts, veterans, local community leaders and visitors took a moment to pay tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action at a POW/MIA Recognition ceremony here Sept. 17. 

Guest speaker Joseph Quitman Johnson, World War II and Korean War veteran and former POW and author of Baby of Bataan, spoke to nearly 100 people in attendance.
In January 1941, Mr. Johnson enlisted in the Army and volunteered for the 31st Infantry Regiment stationed in Manila, Philippines. 

He was 14 years old. 

He was assigned to a machine gun squad in D Company -- a heavy weapons company. Not long after basic training, Mr. Johnson was selected as the company's bugler and was often chosen from among the musicians in the First Battalion to play general's call when Gen. Douglas MacArthur, supreme allied commander of the Southwest Pacific Theater during WWII would arrive at his headquarters. 

Hours after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Manila was bombed and the war had come to the Philippines. His position as bugler made him the company runner, giving him a first-hand vantage point of the fighting along the line. 

While traveling with General MacArthur, to Corregidor in late December, D Company sustained its first casualties of the war from enemy bombers. When his company joined the rest of the regiment on Bataan, Mr. Johnson continued fighting with his machine gun squad until April 9, 1942. He escaped to Corregidor, just avoiding the Death March, when the Bataan garrison surrendered. 

Mr. Johnson defended the beaches of Corregidor with the Marines until May 6, 1942, when it fell, and Mr. Johnson began his life as a prisoner of the Japanese. 

Surviving brutality, starvation, threatened execution, near fatal injuries and mine cave-ins, Mr. Johnson's courage, determination and internal fortitude kept him alive. He was close enough to Nagasaki to see a curious huge white cloud hovering over the city a day before American planes began dropping food on his camp. The war was over and Mr. 
Johnson's long journey home began. 

Mr. Johnson returned home at the age of 19. He served several more enlistments in the armed services before he retired. He was in the Army Air Corps and then served as a Marine drill instructor in San Diego. He was wounded in action in Korea. Mr. Johnson now lives in Arizona with his wife, Marilyn. 

He began his tribute to those servicemembers who suffered as prisoners of war, and those still missing by paying respect to his military comrades. 

"We are here today to honor our prisoners of war and those still missing in action," said Mr. Johnson. "I represent an era that many of our present generation have never heard of. I'm speaking of the defense of the Philippines at the start of WWII." 

It means a great deal to me to speak here at Luke," he said. "The younger generation needs to know that the older generation was just like them at one time. We were green and had to learn all the ropes. We had mentors in those days that helped and guided us and taught us about God and country, devotion and duty and I've never forgotten it." 

Each generation is called on to defend freedom. 

"Americans today are enjoying the freedoms that those who are listed as MIA fought for," Mr. Johnson said. "Present and future generations of Americans will do their duty and make sure all Americans will still be enjoying these same freedoms. We are determined, and it's our sacred duty to never give up hope on any of our fellow servicemembers who might still be alive." 

Mr. Johnson's commented on never forgetting the families of missing servicemembers.
"We must see that a final chapter is written for each of these missing servicemembers and their families," Mr. Johnson said. "You can't give up on anyone; you can't leave one person behind. Throughout this nation, ceremonies like ours, are taking place to insure that we never forget." 

Mr. Johnson offered his advice to those that are fighting in the global war on terror that may become or who are POWs. 

"The worst thing that can happen to a military member is to become a POW," he said. "No amount of training can prepare you for that experience; it effects you both physically and mentally so you have to devote yourself to remembering that there are people out there that are trying to rescue you. They are caring about you and working to return you home. Remember to keep your country and your family in your heart at all times." 

In addition to Mr. Johnson, another honoree in attendance was retired Capt. Charles Farrell, is the only living WWII glider pilot who was a POW. 

After Captain Farrell graduated from the University of Notre Dame, he enlisted in and served in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945 with the 442nd Troop carrier Group.
As a WWII flight officer, he was shot down and captured in the Holland invasion. He was held as a POW at Stalag Luft 1 and released by the Russians at the end of the war.
Attending the ceremony with Captain Farrell was his son, Paul Farrell and granddaughters, Nanna and Jackie Farrell. 

"This meant a lot to the whole family," said Paul Farrell. "It is very meaningful because of my father's recent illness. This might be his last outing and it will be a great memory for him." 

Captain Farrell expressed his thoughts on the event. 

"It is good to be here with everyone and I think the event was wonderful," he said.
It was so inspiring to hear from two servicemembers and hear how they personally related their feeling as POWs, according to Manny Martinez, vice mayor of the city of Glendale. 

"It's something we should be very proud of," he said. "They served our country and gave their all for us." 

Closing remarks were given by Col. Hank Reed, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander. He thanked the veterans, guests and others who had joined to honor and pay tribute to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have valiantly served our nation both past and present. 

"The sacrifices made by those who have come before us leave a lasting legacy of honor and commitment that inspire us all to a higher cause -- that cause is liberty," said Colonel Reed. "As we stand here today, men and women from Luke are deployed half-way around the world. They are serving our nation and fighting to bring liberty and progress to people who have suffered for decades under tyrannical rule. Many of these Airmen are serving in dangerous places where they risk being captured or going missing." 

Colonel Reed concluded the ceremony with these words. 

"The ultimate sacrifices that our POW and MIA servicemembers have made for our nation have given us the liberty and freedoms we enjoy today. Let's not take this for granted, for many have paid with their blood and their lives. God bless America, and I salute you all...past and present."