Philip H. Meier

Major, U.S. Army, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment, 21st Infantry Division, Philippine Scouts. P.O.W. in Cabanatuan. Perished on the Hell ship Enoura Maru in December, 1944.

May 30, 1943

Decoration Day, after much talk the Japanese allowed us this day in which to honor our 5,000 dead comrades. At nine o’clock 2,000 of us

June 4, 1943

Tonight my team best Group III team in Volleyball. Met Lt. Bluher at Bldg 24 Gr II. Capt. Farley, Capt. Lucas, Capt. Molendez, Lt. Rinka,

June 12, 1943

Went to farm today for first time in a North. Had every one out pulling grass and you couldn’t “squat”. Many beat over the head

June 16, 1943

Ben Williams is very low with Pneumonia. Went to hospital and had to see all the medics to get him take care of a man

June 17, 1943

Two shore men escaped, no results as yet. Read Nip Newspaper, looks like Axis powers are purely on the defensive now, allies seem to be

June 22, 1943

Nips promise Philippine their Independence in “43”. It’s probably the only way they can save face …. Tojo told in [the] 82nd Diet session what all

June 26, 1943

European situation [is] tightening. Exchanging blow for blow in the Pacific. Chinese captured Attu and having some successes. Islands around Italy surrendered. On troops, moving

July 1, 1943

Almost 14 months as a prisoner of war and future doesn’t look too bright. Maybe Uncle Sam will get around to us one of these

July 5, 1943

Mary & I were married two years ago today. It rained most of the day and I spent it playing bridge. Little else to do,

July 12, 1943

Last few days have had some excitement. Last evening we, Pvt. Cronnell from Bks 7, Group I escaped from the farm. We proceeded to a

July 20, 1943

Am just recovering from a severe case of flu. They can’t get me down. Was talking over our situation last night and remembered a funny

July 23, 1943

Detail finally left. They were really treated nice before they left. First time this has ever happened. They gave them all [the] new blues and

Aug 13, 1943

August 13, 1943

Friday the 13th–- Have had sinus trouble terribly for the past week. Sent us a lot of men over from the hospital, bed bugs are

Aug 25, 1943

August 25, 1943

Men worked too hard with little or no time to rest. Major Doris and I study Spanish in the evenings when opportunity presents itself. Have

August 28, 1943

Louis Wolf left on detail today. “Alice” was his nickname. He was a good kid, not all there, but he meant well. He hated to

September 1, 1943

Japanese have made me one out of a few scraps of lumber and a shelter half. It helped keep the bed bugs off and [I]

September 6, 1943

Mel Morgan has been very low with the flu. Will come around O.K. now if he can get the proper treatment and food. Japs have

September 9th 1943

September 6, 1943

Japs consider them to be very unjust and cowardly to surrender. Allies pushing into Europe. Germany is in bad situation. Tojo supposedly resigned. Just cash

September 15, 1943

Examining everyone for outgoing details. Looks like they are going to split us into groups of 500 to 800 and scatter across the Islands due

September 19, 1943

Two details of 800 left already. Looks like a couple more coming up. The last one supposedly went to New Bilibid to prepare for the

October 6, 1943

First chance I have had to write since I moved. I no longer have an enlisted Bks. Arm a casual officer. Bihi 30 now have

May 27, 1944

Received two more letters last Saturday. One from LeRoy of Feb. 1943 and one from Dad on May 1943. Every one seems very well of

May 30,1944

May 30, 1944

Memorial day and the Japanese have allowved [allowed] a few hundred to hold services at the cemetery. I did not go as thse [these] were

May 31, 1944

Received 7 letters tonight. Latest Mar. 1943. Dad, Mums, Mother, Lucille, Sennt Boone, from Aunt Mina, News is all about family. Everyone well and it

June 2, 1944

Arrived in this camp 2 years ago today from Camp O’Donnell Prison have been through a lot in these 2 years. Lots had happened, but

June 11, 1944

Fathers day and I have spent a great deal of time with thoughts of Dad. What a wonderful fellow. I prayed over and over again

June 25, 1944

Rumors to date – Americans land French Coast, occupy Paris, Push onto German soil with little resistance Russians in on north and west occupying last

June 28, 1944

Melendez getting along fine. Jans admit loss of Saipan/ 450 men detail left today for Japan, Barne, Rodsy, Kieson, Van Buskiri, Lawson, McConbes [McCombes] are

July 6, 1944

Yesterday, July 5, of course was a very important date/ My 3rd wedding anniversary wasn’t much I could, do about it. but on the 4th

July 15, 1944

1000 men detail leaves today and tomorrow. This morning major Doris, capt. Lucas, Dunn. Taggert. Lts. Joe Allen and others left. Timpert may leave in