License Plates (added 12/09)
The Armed Forces Military Museum in Largo Fl is the largest privately owned museum in the state. It is in the process of setting up a display of the military that were prisoners of war from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and today’s conflicts. They would like to include in the display the POW License Plate from every state.
If you would care to donate one of your old Licenses Plates to the museum you can send it to Bill Allen with a brief description of your time as a POW.
Bill Allen421 4th Ave N
Tierra Verde Fl 33715
Underage Military Service (added 12/09)
The organization for underaged veterans is Veterans Of Underage Military Service. Their address is:
18802 Rogers PassSan Antonio, Texas 78258
Phone is 1-888-653-8867 (toll free), web site is oldvums.com. National Commander is Bernard Doyle.
Membership is open to all including the Merchant Marines.
U.S. - Russia Joint Commission (added 12/09)
In an exchange of diplomatic notes on July 6, the United States and the Russian Federation reached a common understanding on a framework for the U.S. - Russia Joint Commission on Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. The Commission serves as a forum through which both nations seek to determine the fates of their missing servicemen.
The U.S. side of the Joint Commission is chaired by General Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong, USAF (ret); U.S. Commission members include Senators Saxby Chambliss and John F. Kerry; Representative and former Vietnam War POW Sam Johnson; Amb. Charles Ray, DASD for POW/MIA Affairs; Mr. A. Denis Clift, President of the Joint Military Intelligence College; Dr. Timothy Nenninger of the National Archives; a Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Mr. Norman Kass, Department of Defense, who serves as the Executive Secretary.
The Commission’s Russian Side is comprised of senior officials from the ministries of Defense, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, the Russian archives, Federal Security Service, Foreign Intelligence Service and the Russian Federation’s Presidential Commission on POWs, Internees and Missing in Action.
The Commission will pursue its goals through four working groups, which seek to account for personnel from World War II; the Korean War; the Vietnam War, and the Cold War, including Soviet military personnel unaccounted for in Afghanistan.
Colors Retired
A colors retirement ceremony for the Nebraska Department of American Ex-Prisoners of War was held on Monday, April 6.
The organization is ceasing its activities due to low membership and the age of remaining members. More than 30 former POW’s and their families were expected to attend the event being held at the Governor’s Residence, located at 1425 H St. in Lincoln.
The ceremony was scheduled to include remarks from Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, Maj. Gen. Robert Bailey of the Nebraska National Guard, and Dennis Pavlik, the Commander of the Nebraska Department of American Ex-P.O.W.’s. Other highlights included casing of the colors and the opportunity to meet and visit with Ex-P.O.W.’s and their families.
Designation of Beneficiary
Defense Finance and Accounting Service( DFAS) emphasizes the need for Retired Military service members to make certain their Designation of Beneficiary paperwork is up to date and on file.
60th Anniversary of the Korean War
60th Anniversaries of the Korean War Commemoration Committee are sponsored by the Korean War Commemoration Foundation, Inc. For additional information contact: LtGen William Maloney, USMC, Colonel Warren Wiedhahn, USMC (703) 212-0695, Mr. Frank Carroll, USN, 1-800-343-0939x0110. More informaton will be posted as it is received.
POW Debriefs available online
Debriefs of the soldiers when they returned from the POW Camps are now available online. Click here and then scroll down to the bottom for debrief files. Unfortunately they are not very well organized.
Purple Heart Update
Those brave heroes who were Promoted to Glory while a POW from Dec 7th 1941 to the present have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal! The regulations have been changed and now Next Of Kin (Moms and Dads and siblings) can apply to get that medal. This happened because of an outstanding effort by Brenda and Rick Tavares. Brenda’s Next of Kin, Melvin Morgan died while with the Tiger Survivors in North Korea. Without these two outstanding individuals this would never have became law. Many helped and I thank you all for your efforts. Congressman Bob Filner and Senator Barbara Boxer worked very hard to accomplish this and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
Brenda Tavares was presented her Next Of Kin’s Purple Heart for Melvin Morgan by Congressman Bob Filner on 18 April 2009 in San Diego California. Tiger Survivors, Henry Arakaki, David (Moo Moo) Vilafana and Shorty Estabrook were in attendance. Brenda’s husband, Rick, was there and all smiles was he.
Submitted by Shorty EstabrookDFAS Retired Pay Newsletter
The first issue of the DFAS Retired Pay Newsletter for 2009 is available. In this issue you will find information on The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, offset of pay for disability-based compensation, safekeeping of bonds, the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)/Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) Open Season which was extended through Feb. 28, 2009.
Andersonville, GA. National Historic Site Event
Rolling Thunder, the patriotic motorcycle group, is sponsoring the POW/MIA recognition event at the Andersonville, GA. National Historic Site during September 17-18 and 19 this year. Lodging and other amenities for former P.O.W.s will be provided by Rolling Thunder.
Our association will dedicate the plaque which was recently installed at that location. The plaque dedication will be on Friday, September 18, 2009. We urge you to attend and be a part of this historical event. The deadline for reservations is July 1, 2009.
For room reservations you must-notify John Harrison: email: jwharrison42@earthlink.net Family members and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend but they will be expected to pay for their lodging if extra room are needed.
Operation Little Switch/Big Switch book
I’m sure you all remember, with great emotion, your participation in Operations Little Switch or Big switch. There have been many scattered writings and articles through the years about these important events in the Korean War but nothing under one cover.
I plan to compile, in book form, a history of Operations Little Switch and Big Switch. I already have quite a bit of information but it is mostly from someone elses point of view.
I would like to include, in the book, personal accounts of your remembrances of your repatriation and include any pictures that you have. I had my picture taken by the Red Cross on the day I was set free. I still have it. Perhaps you do as well. Please make as high a quality copy (as possible) of the pictures you have.
Please write your account and gather pictures as soon as possible. I would like to push this project along as fast as possible. The book will be available for purchase when finished. Email link below.
Submitted by Arden RowleyPurple Heart For Those Who Died In Camp
On October 6, 2008, Department of Defense announced the approval of a Purple Heart for those who died while a POW since December 7, 1941. Family members with questions about this change in regulations may make contact with the respective branch of service. It is not known at this time if family members beyond mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and children of the POW would be able to apply for this medal.
ARMY: Military Awards Branch, 703-325-8700
NAVY: Navy Personnel Command, Retired Records Section, 314-592-1150
AIR FORCE: Air Force Personnel Center, 800-616-3775
US MARINE CORPS: Military Awards Branch, 703-784-9340
Those who were killed in POW camp and who have been awarded a Purple Heart would not qualify for this additional award. Those wounded in camp and who were awarded a Purple Heart for that wound and who died of other causes later on in captivity should qualify for this additional award.
Disability Compensation
I have talked to many Ex-POWs who still are not rated at 100% permanent, many have the unemployability rating at 100%. Those rated at 100% permanent and whose other disabilities add up to at least 60% automatically receive “House Bound.” This means additional dollars in your VA Check. For an Ex-POW, including an allowance for the wife, his check would be for $3062.00. This will increase by 5.8% as of 1 December 2008.
If you are among those losing out it is recommended you reopen your claim for PTSD by sending a very short note with your C-number and SSN to your VA Regional Headquarters. Ask them to reopen your claim for PTSD because your condition is getting worse. They will set an appointment at your local VA Hospital via C&P and that will give you a shot at increasing your disability to 100% permanent. If you do not have enough other disabilities to add up to 60% then reopen a claim or open a new claim for one of your disabilities.
Submitted by Shorty Estabrook
Edward G. Hays awarded Purple Heart
Edward G. Hays, after 50 plus years, finally was awarded his Purple Heart. MSgt.(Ret) Henry (Hank) Leerkamp presented the Purple Heart to Edward.
Kenny Hanson elected National Senior Vice Commander
Kenny H. Hanson, has been elected as National Senior Vice Commander of the American Ex-Pows Organization. Kenny was captured on May 1, 1952 and returned August 26, 1953, he served with I Co 14 Inf 25 Div.
James Beaver Appointed National Chaplain
: James H. Beaver has been appointed as National Chaplain of the American EX-POW Organization. James was captured on May 18, 1951 and returned August 28, 1953; he served with A Co 38 Inf 2 Div.
Tribute for Newton Duke
On June 7, 2008, a tribute was held at Gardendale First Baptist located in Gardendale, AL for Newton Duke, in honor of his service and sacrifice during the Korean War. Mr. Duke was a POW for 28 months (May 51- Aug 53), during which, he was wounded on eight different occasions. Mr. Duke was not awarded his POW medal until 1988, 35 years after his release. In 2003, 50 years after his release, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received while captive but the award has never been formally presented. LTG Kevin T. Campbell, the Commanding General of Army Space and Missile Defense Command located on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, presented Mr. Duke with his Purple Heart at this tribute.
Medal of Honor Posthumously Awarded - Keeble
The Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously to Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble. He is the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor. It was presented to his stepson, Russell Hawkins on March 3, 2008.
Purple Heart Awarded - Yoss
Ray Yoss was awarded a Purple Heart Medal, he was from K Company 34th Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division.
Purple Heart Awarded - Rodriquez
Our old Prisoner of War Buddy, Lupe Rodriquez, Medical Company 34th Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division, received his long overdue Purple Heart Medal today! It was 57 years ago that he earned this coveted medal!
Lupe had escaped with two other guys and both of them were shot to death. Lupe, was also wounded and brought back to our encampment at Kosan North Korea and forced to kneel with a stick between his legs and he had to hold a big rock above his head. Whenever he lowered the rock the North Koreans would start beating on him. It looked like they would pour kerosene over him and light it but for some reason they never did that.
Lupe was denied the Purple Heart on his first attempt and thanks to the many buddy letters that came from the Tiger Survivors his second application was approved. It was not until 1956 that Former Prisoners of War were authorized to apply for wounds received while a Prisoner of War regardless of the circumstances.
His grandkids are going crazy over this medal. It is wonderful to have success for a change. Maybe now approval for a Purple Heart for those who died while a Prisoner of War will become official.
How to Avoid Probate
A POW friend of mine who lived in Florida passed to Glory and his wife is now going through Probate. Probate can take up to 3 years and cost 10% of more of the estate. So it is common sense to avoid Probate if at all possible. How can one do this?
First of all have a will drawn up. Husband and Wife can draw up their own will if you prefer. We do not know who will pass first.
I suggest you get "An Agreement to Establish Right of Survivorship to Community Property between Spouses." Each state could be different so it is best to check with your lawyer about this where you reside. This agreement is good when both spouses intend to leave everything to each other. This is a simple agreement between them. This agreement would cover your home and other real property, all furnishings and household goods in the home, all automobiles and other vehicles, all bank accounts, stocks, bonds, IRAs, Certificates of Deposits, and all property jointly owned and all other property acquired during marriage, except property acquired by gift or inheritance, clearly identified as separate property and kept separate and apart from the community property of the Husband and Wife. This means that all community property of Husband and Wife shall pass to the surviving spouse upon the death of the first to die, without the necessity of Probate Court proceedings or other legal actions other than the recording of this Agreement in the records of the County Clerk where you reside at time of death.
If you have a Military ID Card through disability or Retirement you can use the services of the Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) office on any Military Base that has one. They can do a will for you and one for your wife and also this Agreement as well as a living trust etc.
Don't leave your spouse in a bind.
Respectfully submitted by Shorty Estabrook
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