Blood Brothers: A Medic's Sketch Book
Chapter 15
Mar. 17, 46: The Chief of Medicine, Col. Charles Mueller, decided that I was ready to try active duty; he found a job for me on the Medical Service. How great it was to be a halfway normal person again!
I moved in with Judy in her cozy little efficiency apartment; it was actually all that we needed; it had a nice view of Rock Creek Park and the Shoreham Hotel.
Visiting patients in the many scattered wards at WRGH was difficult; I often felt that the patient I was treating was healthier than I was, but I thanked my lucky stars just to be alive and perking. I really had all in this world that I had ever hoped to have.
The Surgeon General, Gen. Raymond Bliss, assigned me to a "Refresher Course" in Internal Medicine at George Washington University Hospital.
Lt. Col. Charles Gingles and I were to share cars to travel across town. One day while riding to work with him, I thought he would drop his teeth, when I told him that "Judy is pregnant." He couldn't believe it.
Apr. 8, 47: Dr. Preston Haynes delivered a beautiful baby boy for Judy at Columbia Hospital, and would take no pay; he was "my kind of doctor." We named our healthy son: Eugene Coryell Jacobs, II and called him "Little Bit!"
Fall of 1947: Little Bit was baptized at the Chapel of Walter Reed Medical Center by Chaplain (Col.) Alfred Oliver, who had married Judy and me there ten years previously. Little Bit was frightened by the large collar the chaplain wore for his broken neck. (The Japs hit him with the butt of a rifle in the back of his neck, trying to get him to tell who was operating "the underground mail" in Cabanatuan P.O.W. Camp)
Summer of 1953: While enjoying a very pleasant tour of duty as Area Command Surgeon in Salzburg, Austria, we took a two-week vacation to visit beautiful Copenhagen, Denmark.
While visiting the Royal Copenhagen China Shop about ten one morning, the clerks drew down all the shades in the store windows.
A clerk sidled up to us and whispered, "The King and Queen are in the store, shopping for wedding presents." Gene II, aged six, and having no inhibitions, pointed his finger directly at the fine looking gentleman, dressed in a perfectly proper business suit, and asked in a booming voice, "Is that the king?" There was a long startled silence!
Jul. 1956: Our little family was returning from a very pleasant three-year tour in Austria and Germany on the U.S.S. United States, enjoying first class accommodations, when nine-year-old Gene II came up missing. We searched the ship from bridge to the engine room where we found Gene consulting with the chief engineer as to "whether or not the United States could make forty-five knots."
Apr. 1957: The State of Virginia was celebrating the 350th Anniversary of the landing of Captain John Smith at Jamestown. Governor Winthrop Rockefeller was to host Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. The U.S. Army at Fort Monroe (Continental Army Command) was assigned to care for all the details.
Being Post Surgeon and Hospital Commander at Fort Monroe, I was to be the Queen's personal physician for twenty-four hours. I was to be in an ambulance at the end of the runway when the Royal party landed at Patrick Henry Field in Williamsburg.
I asked Gene II if he would like to ride in the ambulance with me. "Sure!" he said.
Plane time was getting close, and no Gene. He was located in the tower, helping to direct the royal plane to a safe landing. He wanted me to come up in the tower to meet his new friends, but I had to remain in calling distance of the queen.
1960-65: Secretary of the Army's Office: As President of the Army's Disability Review Board became a pioneer in determining that tobacco "IS HAZARDOUS TO THE HEALTH." Had difficulty in convincing the Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service (a smoker).
May 31, '65: Gene II graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania. It also happened that I had reached the age of sixty and this was my last day in the Army.
Gen. Milton Baker, the Academy Superintendent, invited me to review the graduating parade in his box.
I was retired as physically fit since I hadn't missed a day due to illness since returning to duty in March of 1946.
Jun. 30, '70: Finished my very pleasant five-year contract at the Student Health Service of the University of Maryland in College Park. We retired to Florida.
This found Lt. Eugene C. Jacobs II on duty with the Armor Corps of the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, California, where he met and married Mary Frances Kanne, a dietician.
Christmas, 1982: Judy and I drove to St. Louis to spend a white Christmas with Capt. Gene II and Mary and their two beautiful children, Alexander Coryell Jacobs (four) and Lindsay Jaudon Jacobs (two).
One night Gene II asked me to attend a lodge meeting with him. Imagine my surprise and thrill to help raise my own son to be a Master Mason. Also while in St. Louis, Gene II borrowed a uniform for me to wear (first time in sixteen years) to swear
Mary into the Army as a Captain in the Women's Medical Specialist Corps as a dietician.
Aug. 9, 84; Major Gene II and Captain Mary from Headquarters in St. Louis arrived at the summer home of Colonel Jacobs on Coryell Island (Cedarville) in Northern Michigan to present Colonel Jacobs with his fourth Bronze Star Medal - promised to the members of MacArthur's First Guerrilla Regiment by General MacArthur in June, 1942. See photo!
The Jacobs family remains a very proud Army family, having had a representative in every war since the American Revolution. Even little Alex is a proud G.I. Joe with a complete field uniform.
(Lindsay is a Smurf.) The Jacobs family thinks we have a great country that is worth fighting for, a great U.S. Army that can fight with the best when they have proper intelligence and equipment. May our Army always be strong, and our country, free! "'Peace is our profession."
What greater satisfaction is there for grandparents than to see their children and grandchildren turning out right? Thank you, Lord, for all of our blessings!
THE PILOT*
by Gen. William Brougher
in the Long Dark Road
"What did you do in the war, Grand Dad?"
His little grand son said.
A pilot bold was I, my lad,"
The old man hung his head,
A pilot for a plane, my lad,"
(The old P. W. lied)
"Was yours a P-thirty-eight, Granddad?"
He hears the old man sob:
"The lowest plane of all, my lad,
A tough 'P.W.' job."
"And did you shoot some Nips, Grand Dad?
And chase them from the air?"
"My specialty was 'transport,' lad;
I'd pile it here and pile it there."
"Had you a. brave co-pilot, too?"
He hears the bright boy ask.
"A chaplain, named Ed Nagel,
He helped me swing the task."
"It's grand you were a pilot, Grand Dad!"
The old man starts to whittle:
"Well, not so grand, perhaps, my lad
But the extra rice helped a little."
POSTSCRIPTS
Dr. Jacobs - Colonel Jacobs - Professor Jacobs - has given far beyond what most are ever asked to give... to his country and to the sick. Yet, he can look back over his life with equanimity... he is glad to be alive, and very glad to be living in this quiet, lovely city.
Sam Rohlfing, Editor
"In building an airport for the Japanese, we carried stones and dirt in a straw basket, and piled it here and piled it there, as directed, for which we received a small amount of extra rice. We called ourselves "pilots!"
Letter from Dr. John Beall
Dr. John A. Beall Jr.
120 Brandywine Trail
Carrollton, Georgia 30117
April 23, 1983
Dear Gene:
Thank you very much for sending me the two articles "From Guerilla to POW in the Philippines" and "Diary of a Hell-Ship Journey." They were terrific and say a lot of things that need to be said, less the US forgets the horrors of the way the Japanese treated our prisoners. As you know I fought the war in the European Theater and we had an easy time of it, compared to your experiences. I don't know whether I would have had the fortitude to hang in there and continue to help the others, treat their ills and wounds the way you did. Ruth tells me you are writing a book on the subject and I look forward to reading it.
Time goes by so fast and it is hard to realize that none of the top command of the Army and only a handful of others in the service saw service in World War II. We have a yearly course on the" History of World War II" as West Georgia College and the ignorance of students on the sacrifices so many made is astounding! We need to keep reminding them, that the quality of life they know was paid for dearly by soldiers like you who gave so much for their country.
I was particularly interested in this subject since right after VE Day I commanded 14 POW camps for General Patton in Bavaria. When he gave me the job I complained that I knew nothing about treatment of paws and he replied, "You should treat them the way you would like to be treated if you were a POW." That became our philosophy and we worked our tails off day and night to treat them fairly, keep them warm and well fed and provide necessary medical treatment. I can truthfully say we had very few instances of complaint nor have any surfaced since the war.
Sincerely
"Tige" Beall
APPENDIX: LESSONS LEARNED ON LUZON
"In war there is no substitute for Victory!"
Douglas MacArthur
We were amazed to discover how well-informed the Japanese pilots and invading forces were, as to our beaches, bays, terrain, and especially our military bases. Their geodetic maps were more accurate than ours.
We were amazed to find Japanese fishermen's nets-in the shapes of arrows-pointing directly to our naval bases at Olongapo and Cavite, to Clark and Nichols Airfields, and to Fort McKinley.
We were amazed as to the accuracy of Japanese intelligence, learned through houseboys, maids, store owners, fishermen, salesmen, etc. - ALL Spies!
We learned it was senseless to fight a war that you are unable to win, unless the delaying action could permit an Allied victory elsewhere.
We learned it was hopeless to fight a well-armed major power with equipment and weapons left over from the last war.
We learned it was best to be mobile when fighting an immovable force; you might live to fight another day.
We learned that guerrillas in the proper environment and in cooperation with friendly natives can harass an enemy for many months and gain much valuable time and information.
We learned that a fledgling Fil-American force on Bataan and Corregidor could sustain the most crushing campaigns of the mightiest army in the Far East for months, before being starved into submission.
Perhaps, if there had been more Bataans, the course of World War II might have been altered.
Eugene C. Jacobs
Three Great Things Necessary for Survival
In a Prisoner-of-War Camp.
FAITH IN THE GOOD LORD!
A WILL TO LIVE!
A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR!
Two doctors helped me achieve these: "Grandma" Jim Bruce-for good advice. Major Edwin Kagy, who after working all day on the Seriously Ill wards, came back at night to sing popular songs with his terrific tenor voice.
Louis J. Voras "Medic."
Field Hospital # 2 on Bataan,
later Hospital at Cabanatuan.
"My men and I were the victims of short sightedness at home, of blind trust in the respectability of scheming aggressors. The price of our unpreparedness for World War II was staggering to the imagination.
"The price of unpreparedness for a World War III would be death to millions of us, and the disappearance from the earth of its greatest nation."
General Jonathan M. Wainwright, 1946
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I owe a great deal to my family. For nearly four years, they didn't know my whereabouts, nor whether I was alive or dead. I regret each and every heartache I caused them, and I appreciate all of their prayers.
I am especially indebted to my precious Judy for being the perfect wife during the most trying times, and for being very understanding during the forty years I have been assembling material for Blood Brothers.
I feel very kindly toward Colonel "Honest John" Raulston for his generous help when I was totally incapacitated in Camp Hoten, Manchuria.
I thank General "BOB" Taylor for his spiritual guidance and friendship while "the going was rough."
I thank General Harold K. (Johnny) Johnson, the Army Chief of Staff, for 25 years of inspiration and friendship as one of the Army's outstanding officers. Johnny, I appreciate your offer to write the "Preface for Blood Brothers," and the chapter on "Lessons Learned on Luzon;" you would have done it much better than I, but your long hospitalization and transfer to "Boot Hill" interfered. I'll miss your cheerful counsel. Johnny.
I thank General Aubrey Newman, war and Olympic hero, who thought I ran a "Happy" Hospital, and who insisted that I continue working on Blood Brothers, when it would have been much easier to quit.
I thank Stan and Peg Sommers, authors of the "Japanese Story," and their friendship to me and some thousands of Ex P.O.W.s.
I thank my Masonic Brethren, who believe in these United States and its Constitution, which has made it great.
I thank Sandra Rohlfing, Assistant Editor of the Vero Beach Press Journal, for her many hours of editing Blood Brothers and for her good advice.
I thank Don Knox, author of "The Death March" for friendly advice. He used my sketches.
I thank Peter Collins, Art Editor of Time-Life Series on World War II, for his visit to Vero Beach, and for the time he spent going over the material for Blood Brothers. He used my photographs.
I thank all those good people who have made my life worth living since "The War."
I thank the "Good Lord" for forty wonderful years of "Borrowed Time." It's fun to still be alive in eighty-five!
THE LEGACY OF WORLD WAR II TO OUR CHILDREN
In his book, "The Second World War," Sir Winston Churchill called World War II, "The Unnecessary War," stating that "Hitler could have been stopped in 1935, in 1936 and even in 1939, if two Western democracies had not been too timorous (afraid) and too stupid to react."
At that time, the political leaders of the Western democracies were:
Franklin Roosevelt
Joseph Stalin
Winston Churchill
Charles De Gaulle
The awesome results of that fear and stupidity were:
22 million persons - killed
34 million persons - wounded
142 thousands Americans - captured
$240 billion in property - damaged at a cost exceeding $1 trillion,
"ALL UNNECESSARILY!"
The legacy of World War II (by fear and stupidity) left to our children was a National debt exceeding $250 billion, a debt that may not be paid during this century.
Thank God we have a president and administration that understands the Russians. They will soon learn to understand the Japanese. No one will ever understand the Middle East.
INDEX
A Aguinaldo, Gen. Emilio, 37-39
Aldridge, Col., 104
Allen, Dr, Beulah, 13-18
Allen, Lt. Col. Henderson, 13
Aparri, 16-18, 40
Armstrong, Gen. George, 110-113
Arnold, Cape Robert, 29-30
Atom Bomb, 107-116
Atrocities, Japanese, 47, 73-76
Australia, 34
B Babcock, Col., 72
Baguio, Summer Capital, 10-19
Bahrenberg, Maj. James, 7
Balsam, Col., 104
Balete Pass, 22, 32-35, 118
Bambang, 28-42
Bataan, 7-28, 34-43, 119, 122
Bauer, Louie, 71
Beall, Gen. John, 3, 120-121
Becher, Wes, Sgt., 71
Beebe, Gen., 104
Beecher, Col., 49, 81-90
Bell, Don, Radio KZRH, 10
Beriberi, 49, 56-60
Berry, Maj. Wilbur, 7
Bertz, Maj. Wesley, 7
Bilibid Prison, 6, 41, 69-89
Bliss, Gen. Raymond, 117
Borneman, Maj. John, 63-64, 72
Boone, Maj. John, 67
Boothe, Eddie, 70-71
Boynton, Col. "Pappy", 115
Bluemel, Gen. Clifford, 104
Bradley, Capt. Ruby, ANC, 12-22
Brazil Maru, 42-96
Brownlee, Bill, 74
Britain, 14-15
Brown, Maj. Ralph, 72
Brougher, Gen. Wm., 104-119
Buddy System, 94, 102
Burma Road, 110
Burrell, Bill, 71
C Cabanatuan Cats (Band), 70-71
Cabanatuan City, 23, 60-67
Cabanatuan Camp (POW), 6, 42-78, 113
Cagayan Valley, 28-39, 41
Camp O'Donnell, 51-53
Cargadors, 28
Carberry, Chap. Richard, 63
Casiguran, 34-36
Cavender, Maj. Howard, 72
Cavalry, 26th, 29, 118
Cavite, 13, 23, 116, 123
Cebu, 76
Cemetery (Group IV), 53-73
Chamberlain, Lt. George, 103
Chambers, Lt. Beatrice 12-22
Chapels, 50-63
Chase, Gen. Wm., 81-82
Childers, Cape Don, 71-72
Chloa, 4, 14, 19-20, 36, 74, 103-110
Churchill, Sir Winston, 14, 124
Clark Field, 12-23, 116-117, 122
Cleveland, Cape Arthur, 64
Cooper, Col. Wibb, 16, 104
Costello, John, 18
Cothran, Maj. Wade. 97-100
Craig, Lt. Col. Riney, 25-43, 95
Corregidor, 22-26, 30-41, 51,122
D
Dagupan,. 19, 82
Day, Capt. Morris, 64
"Day of Infamy," 18
Dawson, Rev. Wm., 64
DEATH MARCH 41-53, 76
Deficiencies, 39, 115
DeMaio, Charles (WOP), 67
Dibulwan, 30
Donald, Maj. Sam, 63
Drake, Gen. CC, 104
Duffy, Chap., 63
Dugan, Chap., 63
Dunkirk, 14
Dutch East Indies, 56-58
E
Echague, 29-36, 38-39, 42
Eisenhower, Gen. Dwight, 108
Elizabeth, Queen, 118
Elizaldi, Juan, 65
Ellis, Lt. Jack, 117
Enoura Maru, 97 -10 1
F FARM, THE, 55
Fay, Col. Dudley, 115
Fisher, Capt. James, 78
Flores, Naiomi (Looter), 65
Ft. McKinley, 13-16,
Ft. Santiago, 40
Ft. Stotsenberg, 16
France, 14
Fukuoka, 102-103
Funk, Gen., 104
Funston, Gen. Frederick, 37
G Ganahl, Maj. Josepf, 19-20, 94, 102
Geneva Convention, 74
Germany, 10
Gerow, Gen., 17
Gillespie, Col., 3-99, 102-108
Gingles, Col. Charles, 117
Gloria, Senor (Tiente), 26-38
Groups I, II, III, IV, 40-72
Groves, Gen. Leslie, 114-116
H Halsey, Adm. Wm., 86-88
Hankins, Maj. Stanley, 104
Hart, Adm. Thomas, 19
Hawaii, 3-68, 74
Hay, Camp John, 3-10, 21, 116-118
Hay, John, Sec of State, 11
HELL SHIPS, 3, 69-107
Herbst, Maj. Mark, 104
Hirohito, Emperor, 73, 104
Hiroshima, 107
Hitler, Adolph, 14-17
Homma, Gen. Masahuru, 12-19,
28-35, 51
Horan, Lt. Col. John, 3-20, 31-37,104
Hoten, Camp, 105-114, 123
Hull, Sec of State, 10
I
Ilagan, 37
Ilongots, 30-31
Imperial Rescript, 66
Italy, 17
Iwanaka, Maj. (Camp C.O.), 64
J Jacobs, Alexander C., 118-119
Jacobs II, Maj. Eugene, 67, 118-119
Jacobs, Judy, 2, 26-61, 102-107,118-119
Jacobs, Lindsay, 118-119
Jacobs, Capt. Mary, 118-119
Japan, 3-124
Joint Army-Navy Board, 11
Jones, Dr., 23-30
Jones, Gen. Albert, 104
Jones, Isabella 28-36
Johnson, Gen. Harold, 3, 53-63, 84-94, 121-124
Jorgenson Family, 20-24
K
Kadolph, Red, 70-71
Kaelin, Chuck, 70-71
Kagy, Maj. Edwin, 123
Kalakuka, Ltc Theodore, 38
Kempie Tai (Secret Police), 40-70
Kiangan, 34-35, 41
King, Gen. Edward (Ned), 34-35, 41, 51, 104
Kliatchko, Aaron, 64, 93
Korea, 103
Kratz, Johnny, 70-71
Kuncl, Lt. Claire, 70-71
L Lamar, Maj. (O.C.S.), 108
Lee, Clark (Assoc. Press), 20-21
Lend-Lease, 18
Lentz, Maj. Emmert, 7
Lewis, Maj. Robert, 7
Leyte, 77
Liles, Capt., 118
Lim, Gen., 34
Lingayen Gulf, 3-18, 34-41, 79
Lough, Gen. M.S., 104
Lugao, 40-70
Lusod Sawmill, 21
Luzon, 13-24, 31-41, 116
M
MacArthur, Gen. Arthur, 37-38
MacArthur, Gen. Douglas 3-124
MacArthur's 1st Guerrilla Regt. 3, 5, 27-41
Mack, Lt. Co!. (Ditto), 67
Malacafiong Palace, 15-38
Manchuria, 7, 14, 100
Manke (soloist), 71
Marshall, Gen. George, 17, 108
Marshall (saxophone), 70-71
Masons, 72, 118
Matsuda, Col. Camp C.O., 108
McBride, Gen., 104
McClure, Chester, 70-71
McDonald, Maj., 71
McIntyre, Eddie, 71
Miller, Edna, 113
Minton, Maj. Warren, 29-38
Missouri (Battleship), III
Mock, Harry, 71
Moore, Gen. George, 104
Mucci, Capt. Harry, 78
Mueller, Col. Charles, 116
Mukden, Manchuria, 6, 103-110
Mussolini, 7, 104
N Nagasaki, 107
Nagel, Lt. Ed, 64-88, 102-120
Nakar, Lt. Col. Guillermo, 29-40
Nealson, Bill, 71
Neibert, Evangeline (Sassy Suzie), 65
Noble, Maj. Arthur, 114
Nogi, Lt. N. (Isha), 40, 65-72
North, Lt. Wm., 7-70
O O'Brien, Lt. James, 63
O'Donnell, Camp, 51-53,73
Oki, Juro (Isha), 104
Olangapo, Naval Base, 87-94
Oliver, Lt. Col. Alfred, 63-124
Orange Plan (W.P.O. III), 9, 20-24
Oryoko Maru, 3, 83-107
P Pacific Fleet, 3-4, 9
Palanan, 34-39
Panama Canal, 17
Panay, U.S.S., 17
Paranaque, 10
Parcher, Lt. Harry, 70
Parker, Gen. George, 104-108
Pearl Harbor, 3-10, 18, 94
Percival, Sir. Gen. A.E., 100-112
Peterson, Maj. Arthur, 72
Philip, Prince, 113
Philippine Army, 3-19
Philippine Defense Plan, 3-15
Philippine Islands, 3-124
Philippine Scours, 3-69, 115
Phillips, Claire (High Pockets), 65-70
Phillips, Sgt. John, 65
Pier Seven 7, 10, 65-70, 82-83
Port Area, 7, 70-71
Pusan, 103
Q Quezon, Pres. Manuel, 15, 28, 32
R Radke, Lt. Col. Ryle, 113
Rainbow War Plan (WPO V), 11-29 35, 37, 41, 104, 112, 123
Red Cross, 58, 84-86, 102, 115 Red Line Bus Co., 17-27
Reed, Maj. Walter, 27
Reilly, Maj. Stanley 63
Reinhart, Sgt. .Melvin, 63
Rinaman, Maj. James, 55
Rizal Ave., 83
Rockefeller, Gov W., 115
Rogers, Gov. P.D., 67
Roosevelt, Pres. Franklin, 17-18
Roosevelt, Pres. Theodore, 11, 27, 71
Ruel Hank (soloist), 70-71
Russia, 107
S Saint, Lt. Col. Fred, 53, 91, 100
Saipan, 76
Salas, Pvt. (trumpet), 70
Salee, Capt. Joe (soloist), 70
San Fernando, LaUnion, 14, 90
San Fernando, Pampanga, 79, 91
San Francisco, 26-27, 98, 114
San Jose, 22-23
Schwartz, Lt. Cot Jack, 70, 89-90
Scuttlebutt, 62
Seals, Gen., 104
Sharp, Gen, 104
Shirogo (worker), 94-96
Sitter, Maj. Steve, 7, 77
Sketches, 6, 78
Smothers, Maj. Tom, 103
Speth, Maj. Emil, 16
Stafford, Dr. Eugene, 15
Stevens, Capt. Lee, 70
Strand, Maj. Clarence, 7
Swann, Lt. Robin (Br.), 71
Suchow (4th Marine mascot), 72
T Taylor, Capt. Robert, 63-67, 102, 123
Tiffany, Capt. Frank (Everlasting), 63-67
Tojo, Hideki, 10
"Tokyo Rose", 18
Toshino, Lt., 101
Tuguegarao, 11, 12, 34
U Underground, 60-67, 70, 117
USAFFE, 11-20, 29-34
V Vigan, 16-19, 117
Volckmann, Col. Russell, 41, 79
W Wainwright, Gen. Jonathan, 19, 23,
Warner, Lt. Col. Everett, 11-32, 89-98
Wata, Mr. (Jap Interpreter), 86
Weaver, Gen. James, 104
White, Maj. Clarence, 7
Williams, Maj. Mac, 95-103
Wilson, Col. Ovid 0, 71, 92
Wood, Gen. Leonard, 27
Y Yellow Sea, 99
Z Zambales Coast, 84-86
Zerfas, Lt. Mathias, 63
Zero Ward; 59-60, 73
Zimmerman, Capt. Leslie, 64
End of Project Gutenberg's Blood Brothers, by Colonel Eugene C. Jacobs