William A.C. Frising USMC

Hoten Main

William Albert Christian Frising was from Richmond Hill, Long Island New York and a member of D Co, 1st Bn, 4th Marines in Shanghai. He left for the Philippines (November 1941) and wound up on Corregidor. He was surrendered on Corregidor on May 6, 1942 and held 92nd Garage, Bilibid Prison, a train ride to Cabanatuan, marched to Camp 3 and on one of the first groups to leave the Philippines and wound up in Manchuria. (Tottori Maru via Taiwan then Korea) He was a POW for 3 years 3 months and 9 days. Unfortunately, after he gained his freedom on August 15, 1945 he was transported to Darien and boarded the USS Colbert. Upon going out to sea September 16th, the ship hit a mine in the bad storm and he was the lone Marine POW that was fatally injured with two other ship people that night. Also if there was anyone who remembered him at all, please contact me through the Center For Research. My soul is sadden that he had gone through so much for his freedom only to become free and die prior to reaching his homeland. His last letter sent home told of great happiness and thanks to God that he was free and coming home after not seeing his family for over 5 years. His brothers were also in the war. Brother George was inducted into the Army, and Brother Walter was drafted into the Navy. The youngest brother Ernest Jr. was only 16 at the start of the war and was turned down even when he reached the age of 18 because apparently back then if more than one son joined the military, they were placed in different branches. I have some articles that were published when he was missing, found in the POW camp, and then the terrible ending. What I found interesting is that the Red Cross had made statements about the POW Camps as being well kept when I know that they weren't. I find that very interesting when I know the men fought for their survival daily. Why would the Red Cross lie about what truly was happening in those camps? Pat Moeser (nee Frising) Johnson City, TN