JAPANESE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
MORIO SAEGUSA, TOKYO, JAPAN DECEASED 1981

SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICER, CAMP COMMANDER:
GEORGE G. HARRISON, Lt Cmdr, USNR, San Francisco, Ca. Deceased 1957

This POW camp was established by the Japanese on June 13, 1942 as a stevedore working unit consisting of about 225 men from all branches of the service in Bilibid prison at the time. For several months the men were billeted in a warehouse building located directly behind the Custom House in the Port Area of Manila, PI.

Living quarters were completely inadequate, poorly lighted or ventilated, toilet facilities outside were filthy as were so called shower facilities. Open unsanitary cooking facilities were over 200 yards away and unfit for the purpose at the time. NO MEDICAL facilities were provided by the Japanese and there were no American Medical Military Staff among the group for several months.

Jim Kerns, Sgt. USMC volunteered to attempt to help with the medical problem as he had much previous medical/hospital experience prior to being called for active duty in March 1941. Gradually conditions improved due primarily to the initiative of the men guided by the Officers (primarily navy) assigned to the camp.

By October [1942] upgraded facilities were provided in the Port Terminal Building directly across the street from pier #7. About the same time additional men were added to the workforce including 3 Army Doctors, a Major and two Captains, one a Dentist and three enlisted medical personnel. This increased the total camp to about 425 men. The work was arduous and demanding, at times requiring work parties on the docks 24 hours, however with the cooperation of the Japanese Officer in charge who negotiated with the American Officers in many ways living conditions, food and medical care improved.

When this camp was closed in July 1944 all enlisted personnel with the exception of a small working party and the Officers were herded aboard the Nissyo Maru for a very miserable, almost unbearable 21 day voyage to Japan.

This roster was originally prepared by Emerson Metzcar with the assistance of G.G. Harrison and has been amended & updated at times as information became available to me.

Commander (later Admiral) Harrison, Dr. Artman & Dr. Bernstein were the only survivors of the Officers in this group, all others perished on ships leaving the Philippines at a later date.
/S/ Jim Kerns 1987