Interview with James L. Leggett, Jr., April 1, 1981

Interview Summary

James Leggett, Jr. talks about the days prior to his battalion's surrender to the Japanese. He talks about their poor conditions due to malaria and reduced rations. He talks about the orders he received to destroy his company's documents, and his mission to destroy their dynamite and other equipment as well. Leggett talks about the circumstances that put him in a better position to survive than the rest of his company. As the adjutant, he was away from the rest of his company in a place where he had access to more food as well as iodine and quinine to purify water to stave off malaria. Leggett talks about a group of civilians working with the military who offered him a chance to escape before his company surrendered to the Japanese. He talks about why he did not go with them, and talks about their guerrilla-type actions during the rest of the war. He talks about experiencing bombing from the Japanese, and his duty disarming unexploded bombs. Leggett describes the conditions he and the other prisoners experienced during their march from Bataan, including their lack of food and water, their pace while carrying supplies and gear, and having certain items taken by the guards. He talks about the Japanese soldiers burying a Filipino soldier alive, and other instances of violence during the march. Leggett talks about the death rate at Camp O'Donnell and the symptoms of malaria, which many in the camp suffered from. He gives a physical description of O'Donnell, talks about the lack of food at the camp, and describes his daily routine. Leggett tells a story about the Japanese looking for information on the Allies' telephone lines in Bataan, which Leggett knew of, but was never asked about. He talks about prisoners being killed for being in possession of Japanese watches, money, and propaganda. Leggett talks about the journey from O'Donnell to Cabanatuan by train. He talks about initially thinking that the facilities were better there than at O'Donnell, but describes how the conditions there were also poor. He talks about why he grew a beard, describes some of the diseases the prisoners suffered from, and talks about the work detail the soldiers could be sent on. He talks about why he chose to be sent to Japan. Leggett returns to talking about his time in Bataan, telling several stories about situations he survived due to good luck. He also tells a humorous story about stealing beans from the Navy. Leggett talks about his journey to Japan from Cabanatuan, first by train then by ship. He describes the cramped conditions on the ship, the lack of food, the clothes he was provided, and how the prisoners completed their daily tasks. He talks about landing in Japan on Thanksgiving, and where they traveled once there. Leggett talks about being taken to Zentsuji prison camp, where they were bathed and given bread. He talks about how much weight he lost during his imprisonment. He talks about the types of work the prisoners were made to do, and how they could sabotage each job. He talks about meeting prisoners from various parts of the world, and tells a story about a pacifist marine air force pilot. He describes a typical day at the camp, and talks about the food that came in Red Cross parcels, which he says were not delivered as often as they were supposed to be. He talks about when his wife learned of his POW status after being MIA for more than a year.

Interview Keyword

Military service experience War veterans World War II World War II veterans Prisoners of war (POWs) Malaria

Interview LC Subject

Prisoners of war--Japan Prisoners of war--Philippines World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons World War, 1939-1945--Food supply--United States World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Philippines Bataan (Philippines : Province) United States. Army--Military life World War, 1939-1945--East Asia World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Asia

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.