Commemorating James M. Houser

Picture compliments of Marilyn and
Jamie Houser which they received
after sending flowers.  Click here to
find out more.

As you recall, last week's post left you with some great news (at least for me).  Marilyn Houser, wife of  Jamie Houser, Frank's son sent some information about James' death, newspaper articles, as well as his final resting place (as best we know it's his bodily remains).  today's post will piece together the known stories from Frank as well as the time frames found in the newspaper articles:

James, Buster, worked in the orchards in California, helping to keep his mom and brother fed while they awaited for their father to join them, the year is 1935, right at the height of the Great Depression.  James was a hard worker who knew that he would someday be able to use the skills he learned from the duties of helping to run the Houser ranch in Montana.

After officially moving to California, James (27) joins the Army .  James was hoping that by joining the Army his true passion to travel the world would soon come true.  He dreams (which is a luxury for migrant workers) of  visiting strange new cultures, defending America's honor and dignity along his far away travels.

Private James House soon receives his first military assignment, Fort McCarthy, a whopping 38 miles away from his home in Pomona.  In disappointment, yet classic dignity, he accepts this assignment with plans to request a quick change of scenery.

News article about James' letter
to Grace.

For the next 4 years, James continually requests re-assignment to somewhere overseas, with each request being denied by his superiors.  Through hard work, and the many skills he learned while running the ranch and working as a migrant worker, he earns his way up the 'ladder' and becomes Sargent James Houser.

After 4 long yearning years, Sargent James Houser, receives the orders of his dreams - Philippines under the orders of General MacArthur.  James enthusiastically accepts his new re-assignment, and sets sail for the the Philippines soon.

James has been stationed in the Philippines for a while, the exact length is unknown.  While there, he kept a steady stream of letters to his mom, Grace, letting her know that he was still ok and doing well.  When the Japanese started controlling the South Pacific, letters home came to a stand still.  For several weeks, Grace knew nothing about the status of her son.  She held onto hope that her son was alive and safe.

When the lucky day came that she received a letter from James, dated Feb 8 (1942?), Grace in excitement and relief reads the letter, each word bringing her closer to her son.

In the letter, James told Grace that he has been promoted to Second Lieutenant!  This made Grace even more proud of her oldest son, her relief and excitement just oozed out of each pore in her body.   James also indicated that he has seen some action from the Japanese, but he was doing ok.  Grace read and re-read the words written in this short letter not knowing that this would be the last letter she would ever receive.

When Grace read this letter, it had been a few weeks after it was written, and Manila had recently been taken over by the Japanese.  Grace believed with every cell in her body that James had escaped the Philippines with Genereal MacArthur, who was ordered to leave late Feb 1942.  She knew that her son was safe, and she'd soon hear from him.

News article about James
and one other Pomona individual
being held as POW

Months go by before Grace hears any word about or from James.  Her hopes that he escaped to Australia were getting harder and harder to hold onto with each passing day.  Her soul, however, needed to hold onto this hope in order for her to continue with each day.

In January, 1943, almost 10 months after Grace last heard from James, she hears the disbelieving news that she was hoping she'd never hear.  She learns that James is one of two Pomona men being held as POW's in the Philippines, most likely Camp O'Donnell.   Again, she finds some positive bit of information, he's still alive.  She'll see him soon, she needs this thread of hope to keep carrying on.

The next six moths Grace finds herself fraught with emotions.  She hesitantly continues her daily life, all the while grasping onto the hope that she'll receive news any day now from her son, James.  When you're a POW, no news is good news.  


July 1943, the Red Cross sends a telegram to Grace stating, "The causality report shows that he (James) died at a prisoner of war camp in the Philippines islands as a result of beriberi*, but fails to show the exact date.  Efforts to gain the exact date have been unsuccessful.  From the meager information gained from the Japanese, the war department  regards him as being dead at the time of this dispatch..."

News article about
James' death

Grace, all feeling rushing from her body, re-reads in disbelief the horrendous telegram.  News she so desperately didn't want to find out, has now been confirmed.  In numbness and disbelief she works on burying her pain, pain that got easier to hide as time went on.  A few weeks later Grace receives an official letter from the Army confirming the Red Cross telegraph.

Grace used the next year and a half before the war ended to work on moving forward with ease, and less emotional pain showing through.  After the war, the Army started their own investigation into the POW camps, using any data left by the Japanese, mass graves, and the red cross to determine a better time frame of death for James.

Grace learns sometime in 1946 that they found what they believed to be James' body.  Grace, and Frank M. decide for what ever reason to have him buried in Manila.  They did send request for any personal effect found on the body believed to be James to be returned to them, dated, August 1946.  It is unknown if they found anything to send back for Grace.

Copy of the letter Grace received from the Army
concerning personal effects

Chronological Dates of 

James Morrison Houser:

Visit the Manila American Cemetery for more information:
The following picture is from the following website:
http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwii.php

* May 27, 1908 - James Morrison Houser born
* 1935 - James and family 'officially' move to California
* 1935 - James joins the Army stationed at Fort MacArthur
* 1939 - James re-assigned to Philippines
* Feb 8, 1942 - Last letter from James
* April 1942 - America surrenders Bataan Philippines to the Japanese
* April 10, 1942 - James begins the Bataan Death March
* April 16, 1942 - James at POW Camp O'Donnell
* Dec 2, 1942 - James passes from beriberi
* January 1943 - Grace learns of James a confirmed POW
* July 1943 - Grace notified of James' death
* 1945 - Army investigation into deaths
* 1946 - James body identified with a better decease date of Dec 2, 1942
* August 1946 - Grace requests any personal effect from James' body


This is the best that I can determine for the dates. I hope I've honored James' life in a manner that would please him. Thanks to Marilyn's timely email offer to share what she has, this information has helped fill in the gaps and confirm several unknowns.


*Beriberi is caused from a lack of vitamin b1 (thiamine) that affects either the cardiovascular or nervous system.  Symptoms included; difficulty walking, loss of muscle coordination, loss of sensation, memory loss, confusion, paralysis, severe pain, tingling in the hands or feet, vomiting, swelling of the feet, enlarged heart, accumulation of fluid around the lungs, kidney failure, etc.  If left untreated, death.

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.

Burning Bridges, Barriers Built, 16,000 Lives Lost Marching

James nervously awaits his orders, knowing that whatever it is, it's going to involve greater risk then previously known.

America was ill-prepared to tackle a world war at both ends of the European continent. American senior military had to make decisions, decisions that they knew would not have the best outcome for several thousand troops.  One major decision determined which troops would get aid and attention or which troops would be 'left behind', 'abandoned', and 'defenseless' was ultimately determined by several meetings between Winston Churchill, FDR, China and The Soviet Union.

Only a few days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, some say it could have even been that same day, Japan enters the Philippines. With little resistance and much ease, they make their way towards Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Actions heard and witnessed by James in the following days after Japanese forces set foot on the Philippine island helped James determine that the 100,000 or so men under the orders of General MacArthur were seriously disorganized, under prepared, under trained, lacking sufficient communication, and left with little or no air or naval support. James in disillusionment, watches the scenes of the Japanese progression unfold -much like a skunk let loose in a mall. Cities fell with ease, creating shock waves of disbelief along with low moral to the military troops fighting to keep Manila out of the Japanese hands.  Back at home, Senior American military leaders grew increasingly alarmed and concerned by the ease of the Japanese take over on the Philippine islands.

Dec 23, 1941, only weeks after Pearl Harbor, James receives orders from General MacArthur that all troops are to begin retreating from Manila towards Bataan.  As James and his battalion retreated, they would collapse any steel bridges, burn wooden bridges, leave tank road blocks, and double barb wire fences in hopes of halting the Japanese progression.

Pic of American Soldiers placing
straw on a wooden bridge to burn
it down to prevent Japanese soldiers
from crossing it.

Army soldiers in fox holes during their
retreat towards Bataan

Road blocks created to halt the progression
of Japanese military to Bataan

By Jan 2 1942, only days later, Manila is under Japanese control, despite Manila being declared an 'Open City.' by the Philippine government. At this point almost one half of the Philippine island is under Japanese control.  The Japanese needed to take control of the entire island - onward they trudge conquering towns and villages on their way towards Bataan.

As the America men retreated towards Bataan, their promise of food, supplies, and aid was no where to be found.  The decision on which war front to fight first had been determined by America and her allies - all supplies were directed towards taking out Germany First, therefore leaving the troops in the Philippines on their own.   The armed troops, hungry, tired, malnourished, and exhausted found themselves alone, abandoned, and suddenly with a new General, General Edward King.

For the next couple of months James and his fellow soldiers were left with the orders to fight til death to keep some type of a strong hold in the Philippines.  All Army personnel, including American and Philippine men, nurses, and others, were left with this impossible feat of an order.

General Edward King signing over Bataan and almost 70,000 troops to the
Japanese

On April 9, 1942, with reluctance and hesitation, Bataan was signed over to the Japanese by General Edward King. The soldiers were, emaciated from lack of food, injured from fighting, and sick from a lack of medical aid for the past few months.  General King couldn't fight with an army of men literally wasting away.

Out of fear and humility, he signed over the city of Bataan in the hopes that thousands of men would quit dying.

In exhaustion, fear, defeat, and deprivation James and about 70,000 other men were rounded up and forced to walk from Bataan to Camp O'Donnell, a military training camp set up to house 10,000 men maximum.   James in seriously declining health due to malnourishment worried about the tough 70 or so miles they had to march, which would become known as the 'Bataan Death March'.  While marching along this route, he witnessed grave horrendous war acts from the Japanese troops towards the American military, and Philippine civilians.

While marching, the men were only fed a bowl of rice once a day and allowed only one drink of water during that meal (usually floating with maggots).   If a POW staggered, slowed, or looked at one of the Japanese men they'd immediately be killed, by either gunfire or beheaded.  If they tried to get a drink along the death march, they'd be brutally killed right there in front of their peers. For those that were wounded and couldn't keep up they were tied down and ran over by Japanese vehicles. If any locals tried to help the POW's along the march, they'd be brutally beaten to death in front of their village.  It is estimated that 16,000 men died along this 70 mile stretch to Camp O'Donnell.

Troops carrying injured soldiers along the march

Japanese soldiers looting the American soldiers along
the march

Soldier beheaded by Japanese on a whim

Soldier ready for beheading along
the march

Those lucky ones, which James was, that made it to Camp O'Donnell found life even worse then the couple of weeks along the Bataan Death March.

The Japanese military were not prepared to take care of this many POW's, and when they reached Camp O'Donnell they found that this military training camp, now turned prison camp, was not set up to handle the remaining 54,000 POW's.

When the American troops made it to their prison camp, they found one spigot to service the entire camp.  With a lack of sufficient toiletry, food, medical aid, and basic needs; malaria, dysentery, beriberi, and other diseases set in and ran rampant. Men who were sick prior to making it to the prison camp were the first to contract these deadly, yet treatable, diseases.  James witnessed, between 400-500 men a day die.  With so many deaths taking place daily, those that were healthy enough helped dig and bury their comrades in mass graves just outside the prison walls.   The stintch and smell that permeated the camp became seared into James' memories forever.    As James' time as a POW continued, he too found himself fighting against all odds.

Exist & Survive - You Do What You Have To Do

Grace, James, and Frank Lambert head west, west to dreams of new beginnings, happier times.

Grace desperately needing to find somewhere to live, takes some advice and heads to Northern California.  She was told that the agriculture needs were high and she could get a job easily there.

The boys, compared to most ranchers, were pretty well off, however life was still hard on the ranch filled with lots of physical and mental challenges. These challenges served only to be a preparation for what was to come with life in California.  The boys, in a strange land, with no money, food, or house have found their lives turned upside down.  Survival and existence is the name of the game.

California was being inundated
with unemployed workers looking
for a  job in the dream land.

Grace, faces the grim reality - life in California is a vicious cycle that one is unable to leave.  The number of people pouring into California, based on a hope and dream, were more then the state could handle.  Grace saw Mexican immigrants willingly head back to Mexico, where life was better off.

The family learn that the sell of the ranch has fallen through.  Dad, Frank Morrison, will not be able to join the family in California as early as they thought.  He stays behind to care for the ranch in hopes of selling it soon.

As Grace gets a bit more accustom to California, she learns that small family farms don't last here.  The competition with large-scale agriculture businesses causes family farms to fail.  Another 'dream' crushed in the wake of the Great Depression.  She had to succumb to the conclusion that their only hope for their imminent survival was to work as crop picker, following the harvests from the north to the southern part of California.

This is a sample of what some
families had to live in during
the Great Depression

In order to be as mobile as possible the Houser family lived in a tent, most likely with other poor white migrant families in the same situation.  These tent 'cities' became known as ditch cities.  To help ensure their survival, all three had to help harvest the crops.  Yes, that included young Frank.

Frank, being between the ages of 9-11, works side by side with his mother, Grace, and brother, James.  He's surrounded by other women, men, and children picking hops in the north and working their way down the state and ending with the picking of cotton.  Frank was use to hard work, however even on the ranch he could still sneak away and play, here he was expected to work from sun up to sun down.  He was too young, way too young to live the life of child labor.

Migrant Mother: Dorothea Lange's
famous photograph from the Great
Depression features Florence
Owens Thompson, 32, a
mother-of-three who had just
sold the family's tent to buy food

Around 1937, life began to change for the 3 Houser's in California.  James Buster found a 'real' job working as a janitor at Smith Jones Smiths and College in Southern California (I couldn't understand the college name).  It was during this time that they were able to find a real place to live, settle down, and have James attend college for free (as long as he worked as a janitor there). His college dream took several years to come true, but it's finally time.

Life was finally turning around, getting a bit easier, more stable, secure, and calm.

A New Trajectory - A New Life

James (also known as Buster) excited, relived, concerned, but most importantly excited, takes his hand, grasps the tassel and moves it to the left side of his hat.  He smiles at the thought that his Flathead County High School days are over, done, caput.   As he takes his seat back with his class mates, the thoughts hidden behind his stoic expression are ones that he can't put aside.  This impending summer won't be like the others:

It's 1928, the year that the economic bubble begins to release its pressure valves. The bubble starts showing microscopic tears, tears small enough to only affect the working class, like Frank Morrison Houser and his ranch.

Frank Morrison, Frank's dad, angrily grabs the handful of bonds he keeps hidden away, bonds 'secured' by the U.S.Government.  He shakes them in the air and bellows desperately, "These, these bonds aren't even worth the wall paper in the hallway.  Not even the  paper they were printed on!" He stomps out of the house determined to find a way to sell the ranch and get out while the gettin's 'good'.

Frank Morrison and Grace saw the beginning of what will be known as the Great Depression heading towards America.  Together they decide to sell the beloved Houser ranch, get what they could out of it before they won't be able to get anything.  Hopes were high, the confidence in the housing market high as well.  There has to be someone who too wants a piece of the wild west, just as they did years ago.

Grace and Frank Morrison look to the future; what's best for their family, children, and finances.  They put their ambitions and dreams, again, on the 'west'.  The west is the future, west to California. Aah California, life was booming, agriculture was steady, unemployment was low, college registration was steady (at least this is what they thought). This was where they wanted to finish raising their boys, and where hopefully James would be able to attend college.  They decide that Grace and the boys will head to California to find a place to live.   While Frank Morrison stays to care for the cattle, sheep, land and house until the sell is final.  

That summer changed everything for the Houser family.  This is one of those life altering events (one of several that we will have the chance to read and write about).  Never again will the Houser family be the same, be able to enjoy the company of one another like they had.  This will mark an end to an era, but also a new beginning...

Flaming Bubble Baths!

I guess I better tell you up front that this post could be considered by some to be inappropriate, especially for young boys.  If you so choose to keep on reading (which I hope you do), please note that I am no longer responsible for any outrageous laughter, followed by 'eww gross', or even possibly some laugh till you cry moments.  PS - If any one attempts to try this trick I am not held accountable if you get injured in places you don't want to be injured (however if it works, let me know!).

Grace, Frank's mom, finishes her chores for the day. She looks out the window as she wipes her hands on her apron.  She sees her two boys, James, a teenager, and Frank, a small boy, playing with each other as they walk toward the house.  As they get closer she could hear the brothers teasing and talking to each other.   Her lips gently curve upwards, her eyes glisten with a light from inside her soul, the smile spreads throughout her body, warming her heart.

Her boys, James Morrison and Frank, open the door, step inside the modest ranch house, their mother awaiting their arrival.  She looks at the boys, covered with dirt, sweat, and fun, and orders them to take a bath.

The boys went to the bathroom (one of the lucky few with an indoor bathroom) and filled the tub with hot water, heated by the wood burning stove.  As the water level reached the mother approved height, James, being the eldest, quietly and swiftly sneaks into the kitchen and tucks a surprise in his pocket for them to play with while in the tub.

Grace hollors at the boys to quickly get in the tub before the water gets cold.  The boys gather themselves in the bathroom, shut the door, as James pulls out and holds up the 'surprise'.

James and Frank excitedly quickly disrobe, hop into the tub, splashing water as high as they could (what boy wouldn't?).  The brothers continue splashing each other getting water all over the bathroom. They don't notice the water splaying all over the walls, pooling in puddles on the floor, or dripping down the sink. All they know is that if you have to take a bath, then make it as fun as possible!

Soon the splashing becomes a bore.  Maybe it was due to the water level getting too low from giant splashes or it could be that James was starting to feel the urge deep in his gut.  Buster (James) decided that is was time to up the ante and bring out the fun!

Buster lets one rip, yes you know what I'm talking about!  He was creating a bubble bath - the only means they had was to use their own bubble making tushes!

Buster feels another one coming on.  He holds it in as he reaches over the tub, grabs the boxed surprise.  He pulls it open, grabs a match, and strikes it against the side of the box, lighting it aflame.  Now he's ready to loosen his cheeks and let it rip.  Buster holds the match ready as the methane and hydrogen infused bubble reaches the top of the water.  As the bubble bursts, there's a  brief second when the orange flame burns a bluish hue.

Frank, curious, excited, and mesmerized by this yellow flame turning blue from a gaseous bubble decides he needs to give it a try.  With every bit of concentration he could muster, he focuses on creating a bubbling sensation in his gut. His face squints together in a fierce mix of determination and intense pushing.  Buster, familier with this lemon eating look of on Frank's face, grabs the matches.

Soon the bubbles start.  One slowly comes to the surface ready to pop.  Then with a flash the yellow flame turns blue.  Just as soon as that one surfaced, several more start surfacing, popping, turning blue!

Grace, busy in the kitchen, hears her boys giggle with pure innocent delight.  She smiles to herself.  Nothing makes a mom's soul happier then the sound of her children giggling and enjoying simple pleasures, like bath time.

James (Buster) could tell Frank was getting low on 'ammunition'.  He turns his focus internally until he can feel the bubbling sensation growing in his gut.  He lights another match in preperation.  Again! The flame turns blue as the bubbles break at the surface.

This flaming bubble making would go on and on until the water got cold, they ran out of ammo, or it got too late.  Grace never really knowingly knew about the flaming bubble baths.  However gross this may be, this is what boys do and what a science lesson to boot!

This story was inspired by John Houser, Frank's son.  I asked John about one of his favorite stories that his father, Frank, told him.  This is the one story that John has the best time re-telling.