American Valor Quarterly Issue 1 - Winter 2007 | Page 5

Of course, we know now that the entrance of the U.S. forces After being rescued from the prison camp, Frank Buckles returned
made a decisive difference in the war. Buckles gives much of the to the United States, got married and raised a family and in the
credit to the strong leadership of General John J. Pershing.
mid 1950s he purchased a 330-acre farm that still keeps him
busy today. But of course, he has had plenty of time for reflection
He was the leader. No question about it. In every way. given all the amazing advancements in all areas of life since his
It was reflected in the men…they realized it. He was a birth, he really can’t put his finger on the most significant area of
tough character.
progress that he’s seen in many years, but he says its easy to narrow
the list at least a little bit.
th
th
th
Finally, at the 11 hour of the 11 day of the 11 month in
1918, the guns fell silent. The armistice took effect and the killing It sure isn’t the television.
finally stopped.
There’s also been plenty of
It seemed to be a relief
correspondence. Buckles
to everybody. I didn’t
says the letters from current
find many to be so
soldiers show the same
jubilant; it was more a
patriotism, devotion to duty,
relief to them that the
and belief in the rightness
war had ended.
of their cause that he felt
90 years ago when he went
For veterans of World
off to war. In the end,
War I, it was exceedingly
Buckles r emains ver y
difficult to see the peace
proud of his service and the
violated just two decades
service of others in his
later. For Frank Buckles,
generation to his country in
World War I. The
World War II would be
lingering regret however, is
excruciating , even though
that the peace following the
he was no longer in
uniform. By the late
war failed to last.
1930s he was working for
Frank W. Buckles is presented with the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute
a steamship company and
There was a feeling that
commendation by Maj. General William Monk, III during the National
Memorial Day Parade presented by the American Veterans Center. Buckles
the outbreak of war in
it was the war to end all
Europe meant shifting served as Honorary Marshal for World War I in the parade, and was met with a wars, hoping that their
standing ovation from the 250,000 spectators who lined the parade route.
many of the routes away
problems could be
to the Far East, including
settled some other way.
the Philippines, where the company already did plenty of business. I think that most of the veterans of World War I were
But when Japanese forces went on the rampage in the Philippines, quite disturbed when there was another war, when they
Mr. Buckles could not escape the brutality.
became involved in another war.
I was living in Manila, when World War II started, when
the Japanese invaded the Philippines. I was in a prison
camp, for one year, and two years in Las Baños. Three
and a half-years in Japanese prison camps, I was one of
the few who survived.

Frank Buckles is among the last of the World War I generation,
but his humble dignity and plain spoken friendliness serve as a
reminder of the great Americans who did so much to build this
nation and of those throughout our history who answered the call
and served our country in uniform during its hour of need.

Three and half-years in the horror of Japanese prison camps. So
how did Frank Buckles emerge as one of the few fortunate
survivors?
Physical condition. My determination to live, keeping
myself in good shape as much as possible.
American Valor Quarterly - Winter, 2007/08 - 5

AVQ