Son to share Father’s WWII experiences as a POW (press release)

February 10, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Robyn Truslow

410-535-0291

 

 

Local resident Jon Frank will share his Father's story and artifacts from the Battle of Bataan and 3 years as a Japanese Prisoner of War at Calvert Library Prince Frederick on March 14, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.  The collection is scheduled for donation to the National WW II Museum on April 5, commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the Battle's final days and surrender on April 9, 1942. This was the largest surrender of U.S. Armed Forces in history.

 

Col. Charles B. Frank served on active duty from 1941 until his retirement at Fort Meade in 1967.

 

"When my Mother passed away in 2015, I assembled the family documents related to both my father and mother's war time service.  The materials have been in our family all our lives.   While cataloguing and digitizing the letters, orders, telegrams and other items saved by my father and grandmother, I was also researching the events and history of the defense on Bataan and the role played by the US Army Veterinary Corps at that time," explained Jon Frank.

 

"1LT Frank was the veterinarian to Battery A of the 23^rd Field Artillery (PS), a pack unit with 48 horses and 80 mules in the field following the attack on Pearl Harbor.   As the battle progressed, the unit was destroyed and he fulfilled other duties including replacement corral operation and food inspection."

 

Col. Frank was a POW from April 9, 1942 until liberation on September 7, 1945.  He survived several "near misses" including a 49-day transfer from Manila to Japan involving three ships, multiple attacks and mishaps resulting in the death of 83% of the 1619 men making the journey on the Oryoku Maru. 

 

Col. Frank was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his war time service. Join us to hear these stories and see some of the collected artifacts.  For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

 

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Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

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