Cabanatuan’s First Escape

Chronicling the Lives of Each Defender

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the origins of Left Behind podcast and some of the people highlighted so far in the podcast’s first 60 episodes. This episode was originally given as a presentation at the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society and American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society co-conference in April 2024 in Houston, Texas. The presentation has been recorded here since the original wasn’t recorded.   Watch the video of this presentation on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyz3tJcbMaQ]   Listen to the full episodes about the men and women mentioned in this episode: * Alma Salm [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/92ndgarage/]–The inspiration for Left Behind * Harry Whitman [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/marchtocabanatuan/] – Salm’s marching companion to Cabanatuan POW Camp * Frank Pyzick [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/frank-pyzick/] – Marine Major who announced WW2 * Alexander Nininger [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/nininger/] – 1st Medal of Honor recipient in WW2 * Jose Calugas [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/calugas/] – Only Filipino to receive the Medal of Honor in WW2 * Willibald Bianchi [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/bianchi/] – Third and final man to receive the Medal of Honor on Bataan * Jim Daly [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/daly/] – Was in a field hospital when Bataan surrendered * Eunice Hatchitt [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/eunice-hatchitt/] – Escaped from The Philippines, followed Patton’s army through Europe * Father William Cummings [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/cummings/] – Performed the Easter morning miracle on Bataan * Canopus Storekeepers – Hid from Japanese in a civilian internment camp * The iconic Bataan Death March photo [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/photo/] * Last photo smuggled off Corregidor Island [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/lastphotooffcorregidor/] * Crew of the USS Quail who escaped to Australia [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/morrill/] * Irving Strobing [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/corregidorsurrender/] – Sent last message off Corregidor * Ray Hunt [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/hunt/] – Escaped Bataan Death March to become a wanted guerilla * Lucy Wilson [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/ww2flightnurse/] – Became a flight nurse to find her fiancé * Marcos Macorro [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/mocorro/] – Served with his father in Coast Artillery * Dan Figuracion [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/dominador-figuracion/] – Part of last cavalry charge in US Army history * Felipe Fernandez [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/fernandez/] – Led his men in last-minute escape from Bataan

Return from the Zero Ward

An inside look into the infamous “Zero Ward,” so named because POWs who went there had zero chance of returning. And one man’s relentless work to bring one of them home.   Learn more about John Eakin’s work to bring Bud Kelder and other unidentified men home: * Interview with Eakin [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/bataanmissing/] (Left Behind episode 18)  * BataanMissing.com – A Resource for Families of All US MIA's [https://bataanmissing.com/]   You can see images and maps about Bud Kelder’s and Silas Whaley’s stories at: * Left Behind Website [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/zeroward] (includes transcript & sources) * Instagram: @leftbehindpodcast [http://www.instagram.com/leftbehindpodcast]   * Left Behind Facebook page [http://www.facebook.com/people/Left-Behind-Podcast/100092698653154/]    Wanna know more? Check out these Left Behind episodes mentioned in this episode: * The march to Cabanatuan POW Camps [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/marchtocabanatuan/], which Pvt. Silas Whaley endured (episode 53) * Bataan Field Hospital #2 [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/bickford/], where Pvt. Bud Kelder was stationed (episode 25)  * More about Bataan Hospital #2 [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/hogan/] (episode 40) * How Willibald Bianchi received the Medal of Honor [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/bianchi/] (episode 20)

5 WW2 Servicemen to Remember this Memorial Day

In this special Memorial Day episode, we’re remembering 5 remarkable men who were Killed in Action, sacrificing their all to defend their country and The Philippine Islands during the early months of World War 2.   Hear the full stories of the men highlighted in this episode: * Capt. Colin Kelly [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/don-robins/] -- pilot of first B-17 bomber downed in WW2 (episode #4) * Lt. James Booher [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/companyc/] -- KIA at Bataan airfield (episode #7) * Lt. Alexander "Sandy" Nininger [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/nininger/] -- First WW2 Congressional Medal of Honor recipient (episode #16) * Lt. Ira Cheaney [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/bataanmissing/] -- Missing on Bataan for 80 years (episode #17) * Capt. Noel Castle [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/corregidormarines/] -- Marine marksman killed during Corregidor invasion (episode 44)   Share memorial tributes to these men by visiting Left Behind on Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Left-Behind-Podcast/100092698653154/ [http://www.facebook.com/people/Left-Behind-Podcast/100092698653154/]

Cabanatuan’s First Escape

Four young American POWs attempted to escape from the Cabanatuan POW Camp.   After being caught, they endured brutal punishment, forced to dig their graves, and executed by firing squad.   But, by war’s end, their burial location couldn’t be found. Would their remains ever be located, and would their murderer be brought to justice?     I mentioned the following episodes in today’s episode: #53 – Attacks on Manila Bay’s harbor defense forts [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/marchtocabanatuan/] #55 – March to Cabanatuan [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/92ndgarage/]   You’ll find images and maps about these men’s story at: - Left Behind Website [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/1stCabanatuanEscape] (includes transcript with sources) - Instagram: @leftbehindpodcast [http://www.instagram.com/leftbehindpodcast]  - Left Behind Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/people/Left-Behind-Podcast/100092698653154/]

Reclaiming Our Heroes' Forgotten Stories

What if you could visit the Manila American Cemetery without leaving your home? Or walk the rows of in Normandy and discover each man's story?   That's what the Memory Anchor Explorer app allows anyone, anywhere to do.   Join me in an inspiring conversation with the apps co-founders to discover how they’re shaping the future of commemoration through technology.   DOWNLOAD the Memory Anchor App wherever you get apps, including: * Apple App Store [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/memory-anchor-explorer/id1644435170] * Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.MemoryAnchor.Explorer&pli=1]   I’ve worked with Memory Anchor to add these men featured on “Left Behind": * Lynn Weeman [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/fernandez/] (episode 26) * James Booher [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/companyc/] (episode 7) * Francis Bridget [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/naval-battalion/] (episode 13) * Noel Castle [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/corregidormarines/] (episode 44) * James Gallagher [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/photo/] (episode 27) * Don Robins [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/don-robins/] (episode 4) * Norman Thenell [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/watt/] (episode 32) * Walter Wernher [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/lastphotooffcorregidor/] (episode 41)   You’ll find images of the Memory Anchor Explorer app online at: - Left Behind Website [https://leftbehindpodcast.com/MemoryAnchor] (includes transcript) - Instagram: @leftbehindpodcast  [http://www.instagram.com/leftbehindpodcast] - Left Behind Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/people/Left-Behind-Podcast/100092698653154/]