Only hours after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese struck U.S. forces stationed in the Philippines commanded by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Few soldiers would find themselves in a more brutal nightmare than the 80,000 mostly American and Filipino troops cornered on the Bataan Peninsula. For four months they battled not only a superior number of Japanese troops, but debilitating diseases like malaria and dysentery, hunger, thirst, sweltering jungle heat, and repulsive sanitary conditions. When defeat seemed imminent in late February 1942, MacArthur (alone) was ordered by President Roosevelt to abandon the peninsula. Vowing defiantly, “I shall return,” MacArthur left for Australia. Fighting continued until the Americans and Filipinos were forced to surrender on April 9. By this time the men were so famished, dehydrated, and ill, they were scarcely alive. The worst, however, was yet to come. Despite having access to trucks and transport vehicles, the Japanese ordered the emaciated prisoners to walk sixty-five miles to a railway junction without food, water, or medicine. Many collapsed along the side of the road and were left to die. Japanese soldiers arbitrarily whipped, beheaded, bayoneted, and tortured men as they marched. An estimated 10,000 men, including British and Australian soldiers, perished along the way, and those who survived spent the next three years as prisoners of war. Three brothers—Sgt. J. M. Smith, Capt. Burney Smith, and Sgt. Clark Smith, as well as their brother-in-law Capt. James Sadler—fought at Bataan and were captured. Six weeks before the April 9 surrender, J. M., a father of two little girls (Patricia, who had been born while he was away, and Judy, who was not yet two), wrote to his wife Martha in Clovis, New Mexico, to downplay the severity of their situation and to assure her they would all return home.
Somewhere in Bataan
Feb. 22, 1942
My Sweet,
Well darling life has been good to us and God has surely been with us—in many ways and if we carry on as we have in the past. He will stay in our hearts and by our side as long as there is need of him—So I open my letter asking his blessings for you all—
I can’t exactly say it has been easy for us yet it hasn’t been too awful bad as yet—I can’t realize yet how people can be such fools to cause so much trouble and suffering and heart aches not only for the ones actively engaged, but, also to those left behind—I know you have suffered and have grieved many times since I have left but chin up and look the world in the face for you have 2 of the sweetest things in the world to brighten your life—God bless them. I miss you all so much—but with God’s will I will return some day and that in its self is all we could ask of anyone—
The boys here are in high spirit, and there could never be any equal to these fellows, all of them, I mean soldiers here in Bataan—you would never know what it could be like unless you were here—
Jim is my Btry Commander now so I see him every day. Clark is feeling very well, Burney is O.K.—but they said they would sure like to see the Squirts—
Did Judy have a big Xmas? I wanted to be there so much and I wanted her to have a big Xmas and if I ever get home I will sure throw a big party for you all—
Well my sweet you know I miss you very much and I would give anything under the sun to be with you, but, I am not so just have faith in me and in God and I will be home some day—
I could write a lot of nonsense and a lot of foolishness but I know you will read between the lines and see more in spirit than in what I write—
God Bless you all, and I pray that he keeps you well and happy—I love you all,
JM
J. M.’s brother-in-law, James “Buddy” Sadler, was also his commanding officer and therefore responsible for inspecting his mail. Sadler saw J. M.’s letter and penciled a special note to Martha.
Dearest Sis,
I have to censor this so I will add a few lines to send you my deepest love to you and to ask the blessings of our Dear Father in Heaven and the blessings of our Lord Jesus on yourself and the babies. Jake is doing ok. I have his Battery now and so am in constant touch with him and each night I ask God’s protection and that it be His will that we both be spared to return to our beloved wives and our other loved ones at home.
It hasn’t been too bad so far, and with God’s blessing and His help, we will come sailing back someday to you.
I haven’t heard from home since the war but my prayers are ever of loved ones at home. I would give a lot to see my newest neice—if she is as cute as Judy she’s some baby. Keep in touch with Carmen for news and so good bye dear sister and may the Good Lord above keep and bless you and may he will that this reach you soon
Your own loving Buddy
Martha Smith never heard from her husband or brother again. Burney Smith was also killed. Only Clark Smith, who, with several thousand other men, had escaped to the island of Corregidor (just south of Bataan), survived the war. Living in tunnels on the fortified island, the troops endured an almost month-long bombardment before finally surrendering to the Japanese on May 6, 1942. Twenty-one-year-old Lt. Tommie Kennedy was one of the thousands taken prisoner at Corregidor, and he spent nearly three years as a POW. Fatally malnourished and incarcerated on a Japanese hell ship, Kennedy sensed, by early January 1945, that the end was near. On the back of two family photographs he had saved throughout the war, Kennedy handwrote in tiny letters a farewell message to his parents. He began with a note to whoever found his body.
Notify: C. R. Kennedy, Box 842 Maricopa, California. Death of Son. Lt. Thomas R. Kennedy 0–890346.
Momie & Dad: It is pretty hard to check out this way with out a fighting chance but we can’t live forever. I’m not afraid to die, I just hate the thought of not seeing you again. Buy Turkey Ranch with my money and just think of me often while your there. Make liberal donations to both sisters. See that Gary has a new car his first year hi-school.
I am sending Walts medals to his mother. He gave them to me Sept 42 last time I saw him & Bud. They went to Japan. I guess you can tell Patty that fate just didn’t want us to be together. Hold a nice service for me in Bksfield & put head stone in new cematary. Take care of my nieces & nephews don’t let them ever want anything as I want even warmth or water now.
Loving & waiting for you in the world beon.
Your son,
Lt. Tommie Kennedy
Kennedy lived for a few more days, and, after finding a larger scrap of paper, wrote the following:
Enroute Japan. Jan. 18, 1945
Dearest Momie & Dad,
I am writing this so that you will know exactly what happened and won’t be like so many parents. I guess I really made a mistake in not listening to you & coming over here. If I could only have been killed in action, its so useless to die here from Disentry with no medicin. Walt & Bud went to Manchuria Sept ’42. We have been since Dec 13 from Manila. Bombed twice from 2 ships, on the 3rd now. Use my money to buy Turkey Ranch so you will always have some place to always go. Also give both sisters liberal amounts & see Gary has Sport model auto his 1st year hi school. Also nieces are always best dressed. Write: Mary Robertson at Houtzdale, Penn. Her son Melville died of disentry on the 17th of Jan. with his head on my shoulder. We were like brothers. He was buried at sea somewhere off the China coast. Tell Patty I’m sorry, guess we just weren’t meant to be happy together. I weigh about 90 lbs now so you can see how we are. I will sign off now darlings and please don’t greave to much. These are my bars & collar ensigns. The medals are Walts, please see his mom gets them. I’m not afraid to go, and will be waiting for you.
All my Love,
Tommie Kennedy
Kennedy’s final letters and medals were smuggled from one POW to another. Each made certain that, before dying, the items were passed to someone else. When the survivors were liberated at war’s end, Kennedy’s belongings were mailed to his parents in late 1945—well over four years after their teenage son had left for the Pacific.