Comments on: Wake Island Prisoners of World War II http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:45:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: john Cook http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-788890 john Cook Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:25:34 +0000 #comment-788890 My uncle, sgt John B Cook, was a Wake island Marine. He past away a few years ago. He didn,t speak much about the war but did say the Japs were very cruel. My father has a newspaper clipping about how he weighed less than 100 lbs at the close of the war. He told me the bigger men suffered especially hard because they couldn,t get enough food . The smaller men like my uncle may have faired slightly better in that they needed less protein. But either way they were starved. My uncle, sgt John B Cook, was a Wake island Marine. He past away a few years ago. He didn,t speak much about the war but did say the Japs were very cruel. My father has a newspaper clipping about how he weighed less than 100 lbs at the close of the war. He told me the bigger men suffered especially hard because they couldn,t get enough food . The smaller men like my uncle may have faired slightly better in that they needed less protein. But either way they were starved.

]]> By: K. C. Skaggs http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-786593 K. C. Skaggs Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:01:03 +0000 #comment-786593 Viktor Skaggs and Jack Skaggs were not related to my knowledge, I am Jacks grand daughter and just came across this thread. Viktor Skaggs and Jack Skaggs were not related to my knowledge, I am Jacks grand daughter and just came across this thread.

]]> By: Ken Sokol http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-785278 Ken Sokol Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:33:49 +0000 #comment-785278 My father was station in Hawaii with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232 in Nov. of 1941 when about 1/4th of the squadron's enlisted were transferred to Wake Island. Most apparently never made it home. My father, John Sokol Jr. was not transferred. He was at EWA on Oahu for the bombing on Dec.7 and later went on to Guadacanal, Bougainville and Peleliu ........and home. He carried some guilt through out his life for surviving while many of his comrades had suffered and died. Semper Fi My father was station in Hawaii with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232 in Nov. of 1941 when about 1/4th of the squadron's enlisted were transferred to Wake Island. Most apparently never made it home. My father, John Sokol Jr. was not transferred. He was at EWA on Oahu for the bombing on Dec.7 and later went on to Guadacanal, Bougainville and Peleliu ……..and home. He carried some guilt through out his life for surviving while many of his comrades had suffered and died. Semper Fi

]]> By: Mark R. Clark, Sr. http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-785206 Mark R. Clark, Sr. Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:32:44 +0000 #comment-785206 They no longer need to attack us physically as the can buy us through our staggering national debt. They have been buying pacific real estate ever since we rebuilt them after the war. China is doing the same. They no longer need to attack us physically as the can buy us through our staggering national debt. They have been buying pacific real estate ever since we rebuilt them after the war. China is doing the same.

]]> By: Mark R. Clark, Sr. http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-785205 Mark R. Clark, Sr. Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:29:16 +0000 #comment-785205 Hey All Y'all!!! I am researching my family tree and found out that a relative of mine, Harold Allen Flint, B: 8 Jul 1920; served on Wake Island and is supposed to have been among those captured there. He died reportedly in Oct 1943. I was stationed there in the 1960's during the Vietnam War. I walked almost every square foot of the three islands there and never knew I walked in the footsteps of a relative. If anyone has information on my cousin please forward it to me at fiveoaksfamilytrees@gmail.com and if there is anything I can do to help anyone else please let me know. Mark "Smokey" Clark Hey All Y'all!!!
I am researching my family tree and found out that a relative of mine, Harold Allen Flint, B: 8 Jul 1920; served on Wake Island and is supposed to have been among those captured there. He died reportedly in Oct 1943. I was stationed there in the 1960's during the Vietnam War. I walked almost every square foot of the three islands there and never knew I walked in the footsteps of a relative. If anyone has information on my cousin please forward it to me at fiveoaksfamilytrees@gmail.com
and if there is anything I can do to help anyone else please let me know.
Mark "Smokey" Clark

]]> By: Mary (Buckie) Scollard http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-784502 Mary (Buckie) Scollard Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:40:27 +0000 #comment-784502 Hi Becky, My dad was a Marine on Wake also, you can read reply #17 that is me. I might be of some help. First of all is this uncle's name Henry L. Durrwachter Jr.? The reason I am asking is, I am reading The Story of Wake Island by James Devereux, which was the Marines Commander on Wake. That name above is on the list. If this is your friends uncle, I will call one of my dad's friends widow who is very knowledgeable about Wake Island. She might be able to help. If you would like email me at mascollard1103@yahoo.com and I will see what I can do!! Mary A. Scollard Hi Becky,
My dad was a Marine on Wake also, you can read reply #17 that is me. I might be of some help. First of all is this uncle's name Henry L. Durrwachter Jr.? The reason I am asking is, I am reading The Story of Wake Island by James Devereux, which was the Marines Commander on Wake. That name above is on the list. If this is your friends uncle, I will call one of my dad's friends widow who is very knowledgeable about Wake Island. She might be able to help. If you would like email me at mascollard1103@yahoo.com and I will see what I can do!!

Mary A. Scollard

]]> By: Beckie http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-784495 Beckie Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:16:26 +0000 #comment-784495 Does anyone know of "Hank Durwalcher" who was a POW from Wake Island during the entire war? He apparently wrote a book about it but only 250 copies were published. He is the Uncle of a friend and I am trying to locate a copy of that book. Thank you! Does anyone know of "Hank Durwalcher" who was a POW from Wake Island during the entire war? He apparently wrote a book about it but only 250 copies were published. He is the Uncle of a friend and I am trying to locate a copy of that book. Thank you!

]]> By: Kelley Prause http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-783937 Kelley Prause Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:23:34 +0000 #comment-783937 My uncle, Larry McNichols, was also a civilian construction worker on Wake at the time and was taken prisoner. He survived, was physically handicapped thereafter, but was the most jolly, warm, loving uncles I had. His children soared academically, his wife a VERY strong woman supported the family and his son even obtained his Doctorate in physics while he himself struggled with juvenile diabetes which rendered him blind at times. Too much hardship for one family but they valiantly survived all of these hardships. My uncle never displayed hatred or anger of his days as a POW in Japanese camps. I also share your belief that the civilian war heroes of Wake be recognized by our government as they quickly and bravely became one with their military defenders during the Battle for Wake Island. My uncle, Larry McNichols, was also a civilian construction worker on Wake at the time and was taken prisoner. He survived, was physically handicapped thereafter, but was the most jolly, warm, loving uncles I had. His children soared academically, his wife a VERY strong woman supported the family and his son even obtained his Doctorate in physics while he himself struggled with juvenile diabetes which rendered him blind at times. Too much hardship for one family but they valiantly survived all of these hardships. My uncle never displayed hatred or anger of his days as a POW in Japanese camps.

I also share your belief that the civilian war heroes of Wake be recognized by our government as they quickly and bravely became one with their military defenders during the Battle for Wake Island.

]]> By: Jenny Deuchler Hopper http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-688234 Jenny Deuchler Hopper Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:43:26 +0000 #comment-688234 My best friend in high school was (is) Mary Alice Buckie Scollard. I always was facinated my William Buckie (Mr. Buckie) and his stories about Wake Island. It ignited my interest in WW II and all the POW's that survived, civilian or not. Mr. Buckie never gave Mary and I the full story about what he actually went through on Wake Island, but as we grew older he alluded to some of the atrocities. I am glad to say that I was associated with such an individual as Mr. Buckie duing my life. My youngest daughter, Christine Hopper, also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Buckie in September of 2010. My oldest daughter, Katie-Grace Hopper Edgin always wished she could have met him as well. I wish Godspeed to Mr. Buckie as he crosses over to heaven. He is missed dearly. He has been, and is,an enigma to all who knew him. He has provided a model on which I try to model my life. Peace to you Mr. Buckie, and sorry that Mary and I drank your beer, in a hedge, at the corner of 6th and Bodin, back in the 70's... We love you! Jenny Deuchler (the Kraut) Hopper. My best friend in high school was (is) Mary Alice Buckie Scollard. I always was facinated my William Buckie (Mr. Buckie) and his stories about Wake Island. It ignited my interest in WW II and all the POW's that survived, civilian or not. Mr. Buckie never gave Mary and I the full story about what he actually went through on Wake Island, but as we grew older he alluded to some of the atrocities. I am glad to say that I was associated with such an individual as Mr. Buckie duing my life. My youngest daughter, Christine Hopper, also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Buckie in September of 2010. My oldest daughter, Katie-Grace Hopper Edgin always wished she could have met him as well. I wish Godspeed to Mr. Buckie as he crosses over to heaven. He is missed dearly. He has been, and is,an enigma to all who knew him. He has provided a model on which I try to model my life. Peace to you Mr. Buckie, and sorry that Mary and I drank your beer, in a hedge, at the corner of 6th and Bodin, back in the 70's… We love you! Jenny Deuchler (the Kraut) Hopper.

]]> By: Mary (Buckie) Scollard http://www.historynet.com/wake-island-prisoners-of-world-war-ii.htm#comment-688013 Mary (Buckie) Scollard Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:04:22 +0000 #comment-688013 Dear Kathryn, My dad was a Marine on Wake Is. and had a friend, Jack Skaggs, also a Marine, could this be a relative of yours? My dad just died on 8/3/11, and I found out from another Wake Is. widow that Jack Skaggs died on the same day. My dad was very proud to be a Marine. Semper Fi, Mary (Buckie) Scollard Dear Kathryn,
My dad was a Marine on Wake Is. and had a friend, Jack Skaggs, also a Marine, could this be a relative of yours? My dad just died on 8/3/11, and I found out from another Wake Is. widow that Jack Skaggs died on the same day. My dad was very proud to be a Marine.

Semper Fi,

Mary (Buckie) Scollard

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