Collection Title: Jackson Purchase Oral History Project – World War II
Series Number: OH143
Interviewee: Ford, James P., 1921-
Interviewer: Hammack, James W.
Date interviewed: 1982 September 7, 1982
Processed by: Benjamin J. Drake
Date processed: November 2, 2011
Description: 2 sound discs (1 hour, 28 minutes)
Abstract: James P. Ford details his experiences during the Second World War. He provides his pre-war background and motivation for entering the United States Marine Corps prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Stationed at Corregidor, Philippines, he discusses the day to day activities of the fortress before the Japanese attack and the events during the battle. He describes his capture, time spent as a prisoner of war at Cabanatuan and his liberation by American troops in September of 1944. He concludes by discussing his return to the United States.
Biographical / Historical note: James P. Ford was born in Silvis, Illinois in 1921. He dropped out of school after the 8th grade and began working as a soda jerk and later for a news agency. In 1937, he joined a Civilian Conservation Corps camp. Two years later, he worked for a foundry in Mullen, Illinois. He joined the Marine Corps in 1940 and trained at San Diego, California. He was stationed at Corregidor, Philippines when Bataan fell to the Japanese in early 1942. He was made a prisoner of war and sent to a camp near Cabanatuan, the Philippines. He was liberated by the United States 1st Calvary in September of 1944. After the war, he received his General Educational Development (GED) and attended Roosevelt College (currently Roosevelt University) at Chicago, Illinois.
General information: No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Ford, James P., 1921-
Soldiers – Illinois – Silvis.
World War, 1939-1945 – Personal narratives, American.
World War, 1939-1945 – Campaigns – Philippines.
Corregidor Island (Philippines)
Prisoners of war – Philippines – History.
Silvis (Ill.)
