News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Breakfast Honors POWs

Date: September 24, 2001

"Breakfast honors POWs
Story by Lance Cpl. Phuong Chau

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga.(Sept. 20, 2001) -- Thirteen returned prisoners-of-war were honored as the special guests of MCLB Albany at the 15th Annual Prisoners Of War/Missing In Action Recognition Breakfast Friday.

"We come here today to give thanks and express our gratitude for the many sacrifices made by our former POWs, and to better understand the continual pain and suffering of those families who have service members still listed as missing in action," said Col. Charles V. Mugno, MCLB Albany commanding officer.

More than 900 Marines are unaccounted for from the Korean War and the fighting in Southeast Asia. Thousands of American service members, who fought in conflicts prior to the Korean War, remain unaccounted for.

In honor of these warriors, Pres. George W. Bush plans to proclaim Sept. 21, 2001 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day according to Marine Administrative Message 425/01.

The remains of nine Marines were recovered this year in Southeast Asia. They were identified, returned to their families and given full military honors burials.

The Marine Corps still has 242 Marines unaccounted for from the Southeast Asian conflict.

With the continuing efforts of improving relations with Vietnam and North Korea, the mission of accounting for missing service members is strengthened.

The remains of more than 125 service members have been recovered from Korea and are in the process of being identified.

The Marine Corps continues to contact the families of Marines who remain missing through an outreach program.

Those who attended the breakfast participated in an emotional the pledge of allegiance and remained standing for the "Star Spangled Banner," performed by an Albany Marine Band ensemble.

Luther A. Oakes of Pinehurst, Ga., an Army sergeant who spent three years and five months in Japanese POW camps during World War II, was the guest speaker for the event.

"I am proud to be asked to speak at this ceremony," said Oakes. "This recognition is great. It shows POWs that the suffering and the sacrifices we made have not been forgotten.

"POWs were placed in circumstances beyond their control," said Oakes. "I appreciate everything that today's military does to make all people aware of the hardships we went through."

A Fallen Comrade Table was set at the breakfast to pay tribute to all who died or remain missing in action while defending this country. An empty seat at the table represented all those who are still unaccounted for. Salt on the plate signified the tears of loved ones shed for those still missing, and a slice of lemon on the plate reminded attendees of the bitterness of captivity.

Other guests were: Army Staff Sgt. Francis E. Allen, who served with the Army's 15th Air Force. He was captured in Germany on July 8, 1944, and liberated May 2, 1945.

Army Pfc. Winford R. Boatright served with the Army's 106th Division. On Dec. 19, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, Boatright was captured. He was liberated April 26, 1945.

Army Cpl. John H. Daniels served with the Army's 141st Infantry, 36th Division. He was captured in Italy on Jan. 14, 1944 and was held in POW camps in Germany until he was liberated on May 15, 1945. Daniels was also wounded during the Korean Conflict.

Army Pfc. John C. Hind Jr., served with the 7th Infantry, 3rd Division. On Sept. 22, 1944, he was captured and he was liberated April 10, 1945.

Army Tech. Sgt. Lynwood F. Jackson served with the Army Air Corps' 59th Bomb Group in Albania. He was captured May 6, 1944, and was liberated on April 29, 1945.

Lee R. James, a second lieutenant with the Army's 8th Air Force, 305th Bomb Group, was serving in Germany, when he was captured Sept. 11, 1945. In May 1945 he was liberated.

Army Tech. Sgt. William R.L. Jones served with the Air Corps' 306th Bomb Group. He was captured in Ludliglust, Germany, on April 11, 1944. Jones was liberated May 5, 1945.

Army 2nd Lt. Charles H. McGhee served with the 15th Air Force, 2nd Bomb Group. He was captured in Italy on Aug. 29, 1944. He was liberated April 28, 1945.

Army Tech. Sgt. Neal W. McIntyre Jr., served with the Air Corps' 388th Bomb Group. Neal was captured in Berlin on March 8, 1944. He was liberated May 2, 1945.

Mrs. Annabelle Newton represented her deceased husband, Army Master Sgt. James M. Newton, who served with the 811th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was captured Dec. 17, 1944, and was liberated on April 23, 1945.

Army Pfc. Oll S. Patterson served with the 1st Armored Division and was captured in North Africa on Nov. 2, 1942. He was freed Nov. 12, 1942.

Sgt. Harold M. Thompson served with the 83rd Infantry Division. Thompson was captured on Sept. 13, 1944, and liberated Dec. 15, 1944.

Col. Lloyd G. Wentworth Jr., served with the Army Air Corps' 307th Bomb Wing. He was captured on Oct. 23, 1951, and liberated Sept. 6, 1953.

While Oakes' depiction of his POW experience was vivid, the scheduled guest speaker was retired Marine Lt. Col. Orson Swindle, who could not attend the breakfast because of air traffic delays caused by Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. However, Swindle, who spent six years and four months in North Vietnamese POW camps, is scheduled to speak at next year's breakfast.

The U.S. Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office will continue to build on the success of this year's recovery to pursue the issue of unsubstantiated reports about American soldiers being held in North Korea. "