James Aikens Collection

Biographical Information

Gender:

Male

Race:

Unspecified

War or Conflict:

World War, 1939-1945

Status:

Veteran

Dates of Service:

1940-1966

Entrance into Service:

Enlisted

Branch of Service:

Army

Unit of Service:

19th Ordnance; 17th Ordnance

Location of Service:

Philippines; Germany

Highest Rank:

Master Sergeant

Prisoner of War:

Yes

Service History Note:

James Aikens was stationed in Philippines when Pearl Harbor was attacked. On Dec. 8, 1941, Japanese bombed the Philippines for two hours. When the Japanese took the island, James Aikens and six other soldiers hid in the area of Monkey Peak Mountain but were eventually captured and suffered through the Bataan Death March. When 150 men died in one day, Aikens was put on "grave detail." Aikens' weight dropped from 180 lbs to 105 lbs and he contracted both malaria and dysentery. He was beaten almost to death and then confined to the stockade by the Japanese stealing some potatoes. Aikens was able to return home after the war was over and the Red Cross had gained access to the prisoners.

Collection Information

Interviewer:

William Morris

Contributor:

Geneva Huttenlocher

Contributor Affiliation/Organization:

Louisville Free Public Library/University of Louisville Archives and Records Center

Collection #:

AFC/2001/001/19490

Subjects:

Aikens, James
World War, 1939-1945--Personal Narratives
United States. Army.
Prisoners of War--United States

Cite as:

James Aikens Collection
(AFC/2001/001/19490), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress