Rescue Mission of POW's, Launching Investigations, and Paying the Highest Cost

This is a picture of 3
POW's rescued from Cabanatuan

It's early 1945 and a rescue mission to save the remaining POW's (who had been dispersed and moved around over the last 3 years) that were now being held at Cabanatuan. When the rescuers raided the compound, they found 500 plus skin and bone POW's who were starved, beaten, and disillusioned through lack of nourishment.

Second Lieutenant James Morrison Houser, was not one of these POW's.

It's Spring of 1945, Grace and Frank Houser receive word from the Red Cross that their son, James, passed sometime in 1943. The details surrounding his untimely death was unknown, another American POW loss.

Grace after holding onto straws of hope for years that James would be found alive, suddenly has a piece of her heart torn out forever.  Standing there, all emotions leave her body, escaping down through her legs and out to mother earth, she maintains what bit of small composure she can - after all she isn't the only mother who has lost a son in this war.

Her son, a man who grew up before his time, knew what hard work was about, one who willingly faced challenges head on.  He took the the role of big brother and oldest son as his honor to hold. Grace will never feel James' hugs or see his face again.  Grace, having witnessed, lived, and worked through some of America's toughest times now faces any mother's worst fears - the loss of a child.

Grace in her shell of shock carries on, her numbness and pain hidden, for her life hasn't been easy and has taught her well on how to bury these tragic emotions.  Each day she gets up, continues on, the pain getting easier to bury as she waits for news from her other son, Frank Lambert.

In the fall of 1945 WW2 is officially over.  With the POW's reunited with their families, the horrendous stories and war crimes spread through America.  Those that lost loved ones, now wanting answers, more details, and hopefully a body to bring home to give a proper burial to.  The Army, realizing the need for answers to these thousands of families, launches a detailed investigation.
  

Upon further investigation the Army finds records from the POW camps.  They send word to Grace and Frank that they believe James died in the spring of 1942 due to the abhorrent conditions found in the prison camp.  The Army found what they thought could be the body of James, however they couldn't be certain since it was found in a mass grass.

Grace and James were given the option of having what they believe was Jame's remains flown back to California for a proper burial or be buried, at the Army's expense, in a military cemetery close to Manila.
Due to financial and emotional reasons, they decided to have him buried in the Philippines.  His services was held in military fashion, full of honor and dignity.  Missing however, was his family to witness his interment and to say their last goodbyes.  The reasons why they choose this vary, though not confirmed between - lack of financial assistant, the uncertain identity of the body, not wanting to re-open emotional wounds, a combination of them all, or something else.  The true reason will remain 'buried and hidden' with Grace.

Christel's thoughts and notes:  While interviewing Frank during this story, I had such a hard time grasping the concept that a body, who may or may not be James' is buried somewhere close to Manila Philippines.  It's hard to comprehend when we are surrounded by modern day technology to remember that the world was a different place 70 or so years ago.  They didn't have DNA testing, and the bodies were in such disarray that dental identification was nearly impossible.

After learning what I have about the Bataan Death March, I wanted to find out as much as I could about James' life, the battle he fought, where he was buried, and anything else about him.

I spent many, many, way to many hours searching for anything with James' identification on it concerning the Bataan Death March, deceased POW's, anything!  After way too many hours, the only listing I found was on a list of causalities from WW2 for the Los Angeles County (see left).


Again, I learn from Frank Lambert another historical memory. One that will now live on forever, one that will remember and honor James' life as it should be honored. His life is now written for all to read, learn, remember, and thank in our hearts.

For James gave the utmost price for our freedom - his life.


Let's all take a moment and thank not only James, but all the other lives lost in so many wars for the freedoms we have today because of their gift to us.

In Memory of James Morrison Houser

James Morrison Houser, May 27, 1908 - Jun 1, 1942 
Army 2nd Lieutenant in World War 2
 Prisoner of War Causality, Philippine Island 

It's the night before releasing this post, and I'm busy updating the ending with some great news.   Just when I thought I'd tracked down every possible lead on James, a timely, invaluable email was sent to me.

I read the email, and with each word I read my muse was busy dancing, singing, filling herself with energy and excitement.  Unbeknownst from the sender, this information was what I'd been looking for, for months.  I'm finally going to be able to share some real answers with everyone.

Marilyn Houser, wife of Jamie Houser, Frank's son, shared this invaluable information on James' death, burial, and specific location.  With her help, my muse will be working overtime this next week so I can share this information with you in next week's Friday's with Frank.