POW Research Network Japan | Reports on Activities | Reports of visits to Japan of POWs | Former US WWII POWs visit Japan at the invitation of the Japanese Government in 2013

POW Research Network Japan>Reports on Activities>Reports of visits to Japan of POWs>Former US POWs visit Japan at the invitation of the Japanese Government in 2013

Reports of visits to Japan of POWs

Former American POWs visit Japan at the fourth invitation of the Japanese Government
2013-10-13/21

| Description of the participants | Schedule | Friendship Meeting |

Four former POWs, three widows of POWs and their family members visited Japan from 13 to 21 October 2013. This is the fourth program that the Japanese government has run for former Australian POWs. They were warmheartedly welcomed wherever they visited and enjoyed the fruitful trip. Many media in Tokyo and local areas reported about their visit. It was a good opportunity to appeal about POW issue.

Description of the participants

Mr. Robert Heer (ex-POW) Age:92
He became a POW on Mindanao Island, ThePhilippins. He was sent to Taiwan on Lima Maru and interned in Karenko Camp in September 1942, then to Heito Camp and No.6 Branch Camp in Taipei. He was transferred to Japan on Taiko Maru and interned in Kameda Camp (Hakodate 2-D, Hokkaido) in February 1945. He was moved to Akabira Camp in May 1945 where he was liberated. *Accompanying family: Mrs. Karen Heer (Wife)
Mr. Phillip Coon (ex-POW) Age:94
He became a POW in the Philippines and experienced “Bataan Death March”. He was transferred to Taiwan on Hokusen Maru and was interned in Inrin Camp in October 1944. He was transferred to Japan on Melbourne Maru and was interned in Kosaka Camp, Akita Prefecture in January 1945 where he was liberated. *Accompanying family: Mr. Michael Dennis Coon (Son）
Mr. Marvin Roslansky (ex-POW) Age:91
He became a POW on Guam Island. He was transferred to Japan on Argentina Maru and was interned in Zentsuji Camp in Kagawa Prefecture in January where he was liberated. *Accompanying family: Mrs. Josephine Roslansky (Wife）
Mr. Erwin Johnson (ex-POW) Age:92
He became a POW in the Philippines and experienced “Bataan Death March”. He was transferred to Pusan (Korea) on Tottori Maru in October 1942 and sent to Mukden Camp in Manchuria where he was liberated. Ann’s brother was also a POW and died in Mukuden Camp. Accompanying family: Mrs. Ann Johnson (Wife)
Mrs. Marjean McGrew（ex-POW's widow) Age:86
Her late husband was Mr. Alfred McGrew. He became a POW on Corregidor Island, the Philippines. He was transferred to Japan on Noto Maru and was interned in August 1944. He was interned some camps such as Omori Camp in Tokyo, Tokyo 24-D in Kawasaki and Suwa Camp in Nagano Prefecture where he was liberated. *Accompanying family: Mr. Steve McGrew (Son)
Mrs. Esther Jennings（ex-POW's widow) Age:90
Her late husband was Mr. Clinton Jennings. He became a POW on Corregidor Island, the Philippines. He was transferred to Japan on Nissho Maru in July 1944 and was interned in Fukuoka 23-B in Keisen. He was moved to Fukuoka 1-B and Fukuoka 9-B in Miyata where he was liberated. *Accompanying family: None
Mrs. Lora Cummins (ex-POW's widow) Age:87
Her late husband was Mr. Ferron Cummins. He became a POW in the Philippines. He was transferred to Japan on Noto Maru in August 1944 and interned in Mukaishima Camp in Hiroshima Prefecture where he was liberate. *Accompanying family: Mrs. Glenda Elaine Sutton (Daughter)

go to page top

Schedule

Oct. 13 (Sun): Arrive at Narita airport

Oct. 14 (Mon)

Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Yokoyama In the Cremation Memorial, the ashes of 48 Americans, who were victims of Oryoku-maru, Enoura-Maru and Burazil-Maru series, are enshrined. Solemn memorial service was held by a chaplain and a bagpiper from the US Naval Base in Yokosuka.
	At the Cremation Memorial in the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Yokoyama

Oct. 15 (Tue)

Morning: Pay a courtesy visit with the Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

Please see the website of MOFA >>Link

Afternoon: Press conference

Please see the website >>Link

Evening: Meeting at the Temple University in Tokyo

Please see the youtube >>Link

Oct. 16 (Wed)

Morning: Visit the Australian Embassy

Afternoon: Friendship Meeting with Japanese Citizens in Tokyo

Please see the detailed report >>Link

And you can see the NHK News titled as "News Line" >>Link


	Friendship meeting with Japanese citizens in Tokyo

Oct. 17 (Thu) - 18 (Fri) Individual visits to the cities concerned

Hakodate: Mr.Heer, Mrs McGrew

Kosaka: Mr. Coon, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Jennings

Zentsuji and Mukaishima: Mr. Roslansky and Mr. Cummins


Mt.Heer at Arikawa Pier where POW worked	Mr. Heer and Mrs. McGrew at Eizenji Temple where a memorial for deceased POWs in Hakodate area is built.

Mr. Coon and Mr. Johnson at the former office of Kosaka Mine where POWs worked	Mr.Coon, Mr.Johnson and Mrs. Jennings with the mayer at an old playhouse in Kosaka

Mrs. Cummins and Mr. Roslansky with a memorial plate for an American POW who died in Mukaishima	Mr. Roslansky and his wife with a grave for POWs who died in Zentsuji

Oct. 19 (Sat): Kyoto

Morning: Visit Ryozen Kannon Temple where the roster of all POWs who died during the war is kept.

Afternoon: Visit the International Peace Museum of Ritsumeikan University

go to page top

Oct. 20 (Sun)

Sightseeing in Kyoto

Oct. 21 (Man)

Depart from Kansai International airport

go to page top