Evening star., 1945-03-09
Cabanatuan Chaplain
Greets Wife in Frisco
After Long Separation

After Long Separation
Four Washington veterans of the
Philippines campaign, years of terror
in Japanese prison camps finally be-
hind them, arrived in San Francisco
yesterday. They are among 271
heroes of - Bataan who steamed
through the Golden Gate, ending a
trip home which began with their
liberation from Cabanatuan camp
by American Rangers on January 20
The Washingtonians were 1t. Col
Alfred C. Oliver, Army chaplain;
Sergt. Finas Williams, $500 Wiscon-
sin avenue NV; Corpl. Edward E
Seaman, II Darlington street S.W.
and Staff Sergt George Distell, care
of the adjutant generals Office, Wal
Department.
"All I can say" Col. Oliver told
reporters on shipboard, according to
the Associated Press, 'is that I'm
waiting to see that dock where my
wife is waiting for me-"
Ana when the ship docked, there
was Mrs. Oliver, who lives at 1120
Floral avenue NV, here
Honey, brought your overcoat. u
These were Mrs. divers first
words and she and her husband,
with tear dimmed eyes, gazed at
each other after separation of five
years.
Suffered Jap Cruelties.
The men who suffered unSpeak-
able japanese cruelties for three
years after the American flag was
hauled down on Corregidor received
a tumultuous welcome from San
Francisco, the Associated Press re-
ported The harbor was alive with
boats, their whistles and sirens
screaming, their masts and lines be-
decked with flags. Bands played
and flags f1uttered in the breeze.
AS the veterans stepped ashore,
they received message from
their Commander in Chief, President
Roosevelt, thanking them on behalf
of the Nation for their sacrifices and
hoping God may grant each of you
happiness and an early return to
your health.
You have fought valiantly in for
eign lands and have suffered great
ly." the Presidents message said
LAS your commander-in- chief, I
take pride in your past achieve
ments and express the thanks of a
grateful Nation for your services in
combat and your steadfastness
while a prisoner of war
Mayor Extends Welcome.
Mayor Roger Lapham of San
Francisco and Army officers boarded
the big transport in the harbor to
extend an official welcome.
Every one of us is glad you're
here" the mayor said 1--WE will try
to make up for the things you have
gone through. Thank God you are
back"
The liberated soldiers lined the
rail, straining eager eyes for
glimpse of their loved ones standing
on the wharf.
This was worth every day we
spent over there" exclaimed 1t.
William j. Duncan of Pelahatchie,
Miss. That day, January 80, when
we saw the Rangers, and this day
will compete in my heart as the
greatest experiences of my life"
A few of the younger soldiers
shouted exultantly, but the older
men were quiet and thoughtful as
they approached their native shore.
Men Will Receive Furloughs.
Army officials announced that
after a medical checkup at Letter.
man General Hospital in San Fran
cisco the returned men will be out
fitted and given furloughs.
Col Oliver had been prisoner
of the japanese since the fall of
Corregidor in May, 1912.
An Army chaplain since the be-
ginning of the World War, Col.
Oliver, 60, has been in the Orient
since October, 1910, and was sta
toned in the Philippines at the
time of the Pearl Harbor attack.
Mrs. Oliver and a daughter, Jean,
last saw him in May, 1941, when
service families were evacuated from
the Philippines. Two sons, David
R. Oliver, fireman, first class, and
1t. q. g. John C. Oliver, both
serving in the Pacific, have not seen
their father in over five years. An
other son, Alfred C. Oliver III. lives
in Indianapolis.
First Time Home in 10 Years.
Sergt. Williams, "A, saw the
United States for the first time in
more than 10 years when he landed
in San Francisco. The brother of
C. E. Williams, 5220 Wisconsin ave-
nue. NV, he lived in Washington
before entering the service in 1913
at the end of the World War.
Mr.. Williams said he had not
heard from his brothers since he
was rescued last month, but he did
receive three letters from him while
he was interned at Carabantuan.
Meanwhile, the War Department
announced that another Washing
ton civilian, Karl G. Clifford, had
been freed from prison camp in
the Philippines. He is brother
in-laW of Mrs. William Ballinger,
421 Allison street NV