I enjoyed your thoughts today concerning the Philippines and P.T. Boats. My God parents were interred at Santo Thomas prison camp along with their young children. My Godfather endured brutal abuse by the Japanese guards. Your description of Gen. MacArthur’s argument for invasion really explained it well. I knew he met in Honolulu during the summer of 1944 to decide and plan the next phases of the war but I had always heard or described as purely an ego decision of Gen. MacArthur, not a moral decision. Thank you. Also my uncle was a Navy doctor from the beginning of the war and served with the P.T. Boats in the Philippines. He treated many wounded Navy and Marines throughout the War and was able to return to San Francisco and create a successful medical practice employing 15 doctors, nurses, X-ray techs, and lab people. My father, like yours, flew B-29’s as a bomb adder and navigator. He flew 32 missions , shot down over China, rescued and later flew from Tinian and participated in the fire bombing of Tokyo. He was never the same after returning home. He died at 58 from alcoholism. In a previous show you alluded to the fact that most of your Father’s crew members lived unhappy lives or died early. If you can I would appreciate it if you and Jack could explore this theme in a future pox cast.
I enjoyed your thoughts today concerning the Philippines and P.T. Boats. My God parents were interred at Santo Thomas prison camp along with their young children. My Godfather endured brutal abuse by the Japanese guards. Your description of Gen. MacArthur’s argument for invasion really explained it well. I knew he met in Honolulu during the summer of 1944 to decide and plan the next phases of the war but I had always heard or described as purely an ego decision of Gen. MacArthur, not a moral decision. Thank you. Also my uncle was a Navy doctor from the beginning of the war and served with the P.T. Boats in the Philippines. He treated many wounded Navy and Marines throughout the War and was able to return to San Francisco and create a successful medical practice employing 15 doctors, nurses, X-ray techs, and lab people. My father, like yours, flew B-29’s as a bomb adder and navigator. He flew 32 missions , shot down over China, rescued and later flew from Tinian and participated in the fire bombing of Tokyo. He was never the same after returning home. He died at 58 from alcoholism. In a previous show you alluded to the fact that most of your Father’s crew members lived unhappy lives or died early. If you can I would appreciate it if you and Jack could explore this theme in a future pox cast.
If you’re pressed for time and can’t listen to the whole podcast, Professor Hanson’s segment starts at 34:23.