Denny Williams

(July 28, 1907 — April 27, 1997), American nurse-anesthetist. Served in Bataan and Corregidor; P.O.W. in Santo Tomas.

December 8, 1941

I can’t believe what I’m told and know! Mrs. Roesholm called me at 7:30 a.m. and said, “The Japanese have bombed Honolulu”. That was the

December 10, 1941

We worked and worked and still more casualties came. This is awful! Many officers and soldiers are without arms and without Legs; now I know

December 13, 1941

Bill came home today from Paracale. He had a hectic trip; he traveled by train in a total blackout last night. I believe he thinks

December 18,1941

December 18, 1941

Bill went into the Army today. We didn’t discuss his decision; he knows what he wants, and I shall not voice an opinion. Many other

December 20, 1941

Still there are more bombings and more casualties. Rumors are a dime a dozen.

December 24, 1941

During an air raid Bill and I went after an adorable puppy. She is an Australian bulldog; in my opinion the name “Lady” will suit

December 25, 1941

It is now 1 p.m. What a Christmas! With a multitude of patients, Sternberg Hospital was in a turmoil this morning; trucks and trucks of

December 26, 1941

Bill came by. this afternoon; he leaves tonight for Bataan. I tried not to cry, but I couldn’t help it. When he went out the

December 30, 1941

It is 2:00 p.m. I am in a quandary as I sit here in our apartment. In my purse a four by six inch card

January 1, 1942

After having escaped from the Japanese in Manila, we are practically free lancing here on Bataan; it is certainly a case of the survival of

January 1, 1942

A Japanese observation plane, known as Photo Joe, paid us an early morning call.Evidently he photographed several trucks, cars and a some Filipino troops concentrated

January 3, 1942

We are now iiving on the river bank in a bamboo hut. We cook on a charcoal stove and use our hut only for our

January 8, 1942

I have been so busy the past few days in our bamboo but that I have neglected my diary. We, the Lapham family and I,

January 10, 1942

Colonel Craig sent for me to come and work here; I’m to give anesthetics at Hospital #2. I’m happy as I feel I’m doing something

February 14, 1942

We are working like demons… Casualties from bombings and patients with malaria and dysentery are admitted in large numbers daily. food is very scant; but

April 1, 1942

Edith Shacklette, know as Shack to her intimate friends, phoned me this afternoon and said, “You have a package here; I think it is something

April 2, 1942

Captain Burge brought me the package this afternoon; as I thought it is from Florence. The contents are a beautiful fruit cake and some delicious

April 8, 1942

The enemy’s front lines are practically at our back door. I took my bath late this afternoon at the ravine, and a large piece of

April 9, 1942

During an air raid, we arrived here on Corregidor at noon. There are One hundred ten of us from the two Bataan Hospitals; ninety of

April 10, 1942

This lateral has about thirty bunks that were prepared for some of the Bataan nurses. Having to share bunks is only for a few days

April 20, 1942

I was told a few days ago that some magazine in the States wanted an article of the nurses escape from Bataan; and that it

April 24, 1942

I’m on duty in the operating room and we are kept busy with the casualties from the bombing and shelling. We do not use linen

April 29, 1942

Twenty nurses left on two sea planes tonight. They probably will go to Australia. I’m glad that I”m not going for I’ll probably see Bill

May 3, 1942

A submarine left tonight taking twelve nurses. One of my best friends left on it; she will write to my family, also to Bill’s sister.

May 6, 1942

Today I went out in the main tunnel just before the surrender; it was packed with dirty, hungry and exhausted men. Some asked for water;

June 25, 1942

We moved out of that hellhole of Malinta Tunnel today. We are now at the badly bombed Topside hospital. It has been simply heavenly to

June 27, 1942

Phooey on my luck, I have a honey of a case of dengue and believe it’s high time to make out my last will and

July 1, 1942

Happy, happy day! The Japanese commandant issued orders this morning that the hospital unit, composed of doctors, nurses, corps men, and patients, was to be

July 2, 1942

What a night! Last evening most of us Fil-Americans untied our bunk rolls and put up ow mosquito nets. The Filipino nurses however, did not