At WW2’s end, Army Rangers liberated 511 American POWs held captive for almost 3 years by Japanese forces in The Philippines at Cabanatuan prison camp.

I’m telling their story. It is not a pretty story. But it is an important story that is quickly fading from memory.

Among those prisoners of war was Alma Salm, US Navy.

Salm wrote a 246-page memoir of his experiences as a POW during World War 2. He included descriptions of the people, places, and events he endured for nearly 3 years. This website shares these POWs’ story.

This is a work in progress. I’m always working on a portion of their story.

  • Sometimes the posts will be sections from Salm’s memoir.
  • Other times, the posts will be life sketches of the POWs he mentions. Their before, during, and after (if there was an after) WW2.
  • Other posts will be photo journals that add context to the places and events described in the memoir.

It’s a story we will not let be forgotten.

Ready to explore? Start now with the first post from Salm’s memoir.

Or explore the site by one of these post categories:

Cabanatuan prison camp ww2 pacific world war 2 philippines ww2 veterans prisoner of war world war 2 soldiers personal history
Alma Salm’s first-hand account of his 33 months as a POW.

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Cabanatuan prison camp ww2 pacific world war 2 philippines ww2 veterans prisoner of war world war 2 soldiers Bataan Death March
The POWs’ lives before, during and after
(if there was an after) the war.

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ww2 pacific world war 2 philippines prisoner of war ww2 planes
Photo journals of the places and events
Salm describes in the memoir.

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Join this journey!

I research the remarkable lives of WW2 POWs. I'm learning SO much about family history -- and YOU WILL TOO! Join me on this journey, and every week I'll share with you my discoveries, tips, and tricks.

PS -- I hate spam. I don't sell or give away anyone's info.

Know anyone who would be interested in this project?

The greatest way to honor the servicemen and POWs is to share their story with the world. You’re a vital part of that. If you know anyone who would be appreciate this website, the memoir, or the POW bios, please consider sending them the link to this page or sharing this link on social media.

Images on this page

Featured image at top: “A burial detail carries the remains of POWs who survived the [Bataan] Death March, but who later succumbed to exhaustion, disease, or execution after reaching Camp O’Donnell, around May 1942.”

  • Source: U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. (VIRIN: 090803-F-1234S.jpg. Found at https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Photos/igphoto/2000510462/

Memoir image: Alma Salm’s original “Luzon Holiday” manuscript. Courtesy Anastasia Harman.

POW Bios image: American POWs rest during the Bataan Death March, May 1942. Their hands are tied behind their backs. One source has identified these men (left to right) as Samuel Stenzler, Frank Spear, and James McD. Gallagher.

  • Source: U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. (VIRIN: 090803-F-1234S-025.jpg. Found at https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Photos/igphoto/2000510464/. POWs identified at “Bataan Death March – May 1942,” EmersonKent.com, accessed 18 April 2019, http://www.emersonkent.com/history_dictionary/bataan_death_march.htm.

Historical Context image: Remains of “P-35 aircraft destroyed during an air attack on Nichols Field, Luzon, on Dec. 10, 1941.”

  • Source: U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. (VIRIN: 090803-F-1234S-006.JPG. Found at: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Photos/igphoto/2000510495/)