to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead

28.1 Tharp Grp

It is recorded that the Tharp and Fitzsimmons Groups were designated at about the same time. There is no indication as to what criteria were used to place men in these two groups. Fate decided which of these men would spend the majority of their time on the TBR working as part of the Tharp Group in the highlands of Burma. This group suffered the most deaths of all the others. As was noted elsewhere, after completion of the TBR some of the men in these two groups were sent on to either Japan or Saigon.

This larger (nearly 500 men) work group had a much more harrowing TBR experience that the smaller Fitzsimmons Group. Although both arrived in Singapore in OCT 42, the Tharp grp languished there until JAN 43; probably for lack of available transportation. Other work groups continued to arrive from Java and eventually some were routed to Thailand as opposed to Burma. During their journey north, their ship was bombed by US planes but only minor damage was inflicted.

Once they arrived in Burma, they spent a short period at camps close to Thanbyuzayat but were quickly moved to KILO 80 in the highlands. As on the Thai side, supplying these camps farther away from civilization was an issue. Soon the monsoon weather, supply problems and the Speedo period took their toll. Of the 131 total US deaths on the TBR, the Tharp group had 115! Only a few of which occured following completion of the TBR. As completion neared, the Fitz Grp leap-frogged over them and into Thailand and were moved to Kanchanaburi considerably before the Tharp Grp who remained in Burma on logging duty for many months. The last of them not finally consolidated to KAN in MAY 44.

=====================

The final column on this roster is the location where records suggest that the men were liberated from. However, many citations like BURMA #5 Rangoon Jail seem erroneous. Those not sent on to Saigon or Japan were almost certainly liberated from one of the many camp in Thailand. The notation ‘tbr’ simply states that no specific camp was cited.

2873503ABRAMS RUSSELL EUGENEY3c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3420435ALBERS AARON MILO “Demo”SK2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20812924ALEXANDER James GarlandSGT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3760949ALLEN HENRY ANDREWSM1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
37021953ANDERSEN Julius APVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
33049922ANDERSON Frank SewardPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
3422332ARMOUR FLOYDSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813685ATKINSON Warren ThomasPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3468204ATTERBERRY CHARLES THEODORESM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
6003164AUTREY JAMES GILBERTSM2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2239852AXELSON WALTER CHRISSM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3560866BACK COLVIN ADISON JRSF3c Th-TBRTH tbr
20813689BADGER Marvin Woody JrPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20812941BADGWELL FLOYD ThomasPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
4143526BAERMAN DONALD GEORGESM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38065145BAILEY J(ess) H.       “Geetus”PVT Th-TBRTH tbr
34052870BAILEY Walter LamarPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20813580BAKER Millard Lee “Butch”SSG Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813687BALDOCK Earl FieldCPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2956927BALLINGER JAMES MCCLAINSM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20813561BANKHEAD Clarence LaFolia JrCPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
33083200BARASH Herman William “Bill”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3371640BARBATTI HENRY THOMAS “Bull”SM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38036089BARNETT George William “Dub”PVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3285121BARTZ JOHN EDWARDSM1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3813773BATCHELOR WILLIAM CHARLES JR “Spider”SM1c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
278710BATTLES LAWRENCE FRANKLINCpl Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
20813863BAXTER Billy RayPFC Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3933638BEESON WALTER LEROYSM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3858575BENNER CALVIN WILLIAMEM3c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3466907BEVEL VIRGIL BILL JRCOX Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
38038088BIFFLE William MacPFC Th-TBRTH tbr
3821305BIRD LEO CLARENCE “Little Bird”MM3c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3214336BLACKFORD SIDNEY EARLSM2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2148598BLAIR KENNETH SUTHERLANDChBM Th-TBR-dcdTH Kanchanaburi
20813866BOATMAN Harvey WilfredCPL Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
O-397024BOREN Lemuel Maxey1LT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20814091BOWEN Glenn MarionSGT Th-TBR-dcd105 Kilo Camp, Burma
20813346BOWLEY Raymond JessePVT Th-TBR-dcdTH Kanchanaburi
20813867BOYLE Algers CarlingCPL Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
2833592BOZ WALLACE STEPHENSM2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813690BRAMLETT Kelly Bob PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20812943BRANDON Henry Alton (aka  BRADDON)CPL Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
2685971BRANHAM LAWRENCE RANDOLPHSM2c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813006BRAY Charles BruceSGT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2954771BROOKS HOWARD EUGENEEM3c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20814093BROWN Donald NelsonSGT Th-TBRTH tbr
20813691BROWN Jesse Alf “Toots” Jr  “Turd”SGT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
34083491BROWN Joseph Roy Jr    “Sweet Georgia”CPL Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813672BROWN Lawrence Mark “Large”SSG Th-TBR-VNSaigon
37072403BRUMBAUGH Clay Lyndin “Mud”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813868BRUNER Edgar Otis “Edd”SGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813737BUCK Johnnie WeldonPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
3114582BUCKNER LEROY ALVINSC3c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3374947BUHLMAN CLARENCE NELSONSM1c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3934590BURGARD CARL NORTONSM2c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3813589BURGE JACK                 2SM1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2832556BURGE JACK ORMAND 1MM2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813693BURNS George MilbernPFC Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3207140BUSHNELL EDGAR WAYNECSK Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
34052882BUSSEY Sam MannPVT Th-TBR-dcdTH Kanchanaburi
20812824BUZZO Daniel ClairSGT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3601538CALLAHAN MELVIN CARLSM1c Th-TBR-dcd133 Kilo Camp, TH
3166770CALLAHAN MYRON JAMES “Pete”SM2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38050495CALLENDER Horace Wilbur “Curly”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2953622CAMPBELL JOHN FRANKLIN “Frankie”CM2c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3563440CAMPBELL ROLLIN LEE “Bobby”SM2c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
3603049CANTRELL JAMES ALBERTSM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38052096CAPPS Thurman L JrPFC Th-TBRTH tbr
20813476CARNEY Wendell DPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3600806CARROLL CHARLES EDWARDSM2c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3821422CARTER FREDRICK LESTER JRQM3c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
2234792CASE ALEXANDERGM3c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38051105CASEY Otho CalvinCPL Th-TBRTH tbr
O-271141CATES Charles AustinCPT Th-TBRTH Bangkok
20813565CELLUM Jack Travis “Doc / Slug”CPL Th-TBRTH Khao Din Thailand
38057552CHAMBERS Martin Jackson “Slim”PVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
2741907CHAMBLIS JULIUS CECILMM2c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
2999891CHAPMAN GEORGE THOMPSONGM3c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
5049268CHIE AHmess stwt 1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813179CLARK Arthur Buron         “Buddy”PVT Th-TBRTH Khao Din Thailand
O-80956CLARK PRESTON RICHTERLt(jg) Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20812945COBB Hershel Reed “Dood”SSG Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2044186CODERRE ERNEST JOSEPHWT1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38012898COFFEY Robert ConleyPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
38038751COLLINS Columbus MPFC Th-TBR-dcdTH Kanchanaburi
2381950COLLITON LUKE DUNBARMM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
2915604COOPER DALE ROGERSPHM3c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
36009948COSTABILE Harold George “Dago”PVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
20813825COX Charles ACPL Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20814135CRUM James EdwardCPL Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
34114046DANIELS Homer BainPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3286339DANIELS WARREN WESLEYBKR3c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813739DARDEN Ollie Long JrCPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3719627DAVIS CHARLES BROWNMM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3284879DAVIS HOMER EUGENEGM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813700DAVIS Ozro OdellPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2916322DAY CLARENCE NIXONSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
2016070DAY RAYMOND Moores “Rainey”PHM2c Th-TBRTH Phet Buri Thailand
20813180DEATS Louis Frank JrCPL Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38026137DELA FUENTE WILLIEPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3108456DEMOEN ACHIEL RENEChEM Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813008DEMPSEY Austin ElmoPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2833003DETRE GEORGE ELENWT2c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
34114094DINKINS Broadus ClingmanPVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
38052155DOIRON Lloyd WPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3366051DONAHOU GEORGE WASHINGTONBKR1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3564416DOUGLAS GRIFF LAZELLPHM3c Th-TBRTH Phet Buri Thailand
20813307DOVE Denton R               “Pappy”CPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813568DRAKE Henry CharlesPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20813077DRAKE James PatrickPVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20814102DUCKWORTH James HalmerSGT Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
36078495DUNN Ernest Benjamin “Dynamite”PVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
204598DUPLER HARLEY HAROLD1Sgt Th-TBR-dcdBurma Thanbyuzayat
20814103EASTWOOD Howard WCPL Th-TBR-dcdTH Tha Makhan
3422280EBAUGH FOREST VERGILSM2c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3759334EGELSTON DOUGLAS WAYNEEM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
O-334885ELKIN Harold GodwinMAJ Th-TBRTH tbr
2678339ELLIS FRANK DOPSON “Oil King”CWT Th-TBR-dcd105 Kilo Camp, Burma
37038012EMBROCK George HaroldPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
O-13482EPSTEIN WILLIAM ABRAHAMCDR (Med) Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38038733EVES Joshua Osie “J O”  Jr [Eaves]PVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3370849FANNON BUEL RAGANSM3c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
39005050FASSIO Lester Theodore      “Ted”CPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
281375FAULK JOSEPH HUGHCpl Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20812952FAULKNER Harold LCPL Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3287018FEELY JAMES JOHNSM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3111041FELDSCHER JOHANN PHILIPPGM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
2146281FEUCHACK STEPHENMM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20814095FILLMORE Benjamin Dewitt “Birddog”CPL Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
O-396997FILLMORE Clyde Chastain1LT Th-TBRTH tbr
20813594FORGEY Jed DillmasCPL Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
O-335715FOWLER IRA HaunCPT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3203737GALYEAN GEORGE LEE “Bandy”CBMST Th-TBRTH tbr
2230889GANS PHILIP THOMASMM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3373256GARRETT JORDAN JOSEPHSM1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2580301GARWOOD EDWARD DERINGRM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813702GIBBENS Merrill RowePVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3807435GILLIAM LEONARD OSBORNCM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
34104921GILLIAM Robert EPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3933322GLOVER ROSS MADISONSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
3214348GODFREY DONALD FRANCISSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
39377626GOODWIN George Elias “Cookie”PVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
2796486GORE JAMES PATRICKMM3c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
2916278GRAHAM RICHARD GRESHAMY3c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
39005799GRASS Frederick ConradPVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
6750365GRAY HarryPFC Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38052419GREEN Charles WilliamPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38038681GUTHRIE William LPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
38027538GUTIERREZ Victor PerezPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3288115GUY JAMES ANDREWSM2c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3561995HAINLINE JOHN WILLIAMMM2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3001094HALL ERVIN LEROYSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813704HALL GEORGE ChesterCPL Th-TBRTH tbr
20813668HALL Howard LeeSGT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
O-85235HAMILL JOHN MarshallENS Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
O-81041HAMLIN HAROLD Sherwin JrLt(jg) Th-TBRTH tbr
O-360734HAMPTON Robert W(ade)1LT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3214300HANSEN RALPH ROBERTSM1c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
O-397703HARD Ilo Boak1LT Th-TBRTH PrachinBuri
2044602HARNDEN ROBERT Delno JrEM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
4072573HARRELL JOHN ALLISONY3c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813080HARRIS Claude RayfordPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3809720HARRIS LANSON HAROLDAMM1c Th-TBR-escapedTH Phet Buri Thailand
3001001HATLEN EDWIN ArthurSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2383033HEAVEY THOMAS VincentCOX Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
2504437HEDRICK GEORGE Randolph JRQM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
O-316460HEINEN Julius Bernard1LT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
38035993HENDRICK Odos RoyPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3113393HENDRICKS ROBERT HarrySM1c Th-TBR-dcdTH Kanchanaburi
20814111HENSLEY John CarlSGT Th-TBRTH Khao Din Thailand
2874113HERMAN RICHARD JamesSM1c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
38065444HERRERA LIVORIO Montana “Lolo”PVT Th-TBR-dcdTH Nakorn Pathom hospital (final TBR death)
2581505HIETT HERMAN WESLEYSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
2070114HIRSCHBERG LOUISFC1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3760386HITTLE ROBERT GLENNSK3c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3214293HOBBS MERLE HalverSM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
38060221HOCH JOYCE WesleyPVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
275077HOLSINGER FRANK OSCARCpl Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38060944HOLZKAMPER Philip EugenePVT Th-TBRTH tbr
3214333HOOD JOHN EDWARDSM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
2874082HOWARD REESESM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
20813706HUDSON Edgbert ThomasPFC Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3808861HUFFMAN JAMES WALTER “Red”COX Th-TBR-escapedTH Phet Buri Thailand
3213098HUMPHREY EARL CHAPMANSM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3286303HURD MAURICE CHARLESRM3c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
3114506HUTCHINSON William  “BILL” MARTINSM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813154IVEY DAN RPVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
4012918JAMES EDWARD RichardEM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3422340JENKINS FREDERICK CharlesSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38027539JETER Lewis William “Bitchin”PVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20814148JOHNSON Clifford Ray “Peanut”CPL Th-TBRTH tbr
06930933JOHNSON Donald FrederickSGT Th-TBRTH tbr
3933193JOHNSON EDWARD IRVINSK3c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
4056642JOHNSON WARREN LarryMM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
4113310JOHNSON WAYNE OrvilleSM2c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20813707JONES Bert FaneCPL Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20813186JONES Bruce MertonPVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20813831JONES Clyde Edward “Butcher”SGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813544JONES Glenn Weldon “Buck”1SG Th-TBRTH Khao Din Thailand
20813072JONES Paul ChestnutCPL Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
38036059JONES SAMUEL AvisPVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
39156080JORDAN Daniel Joseph “Snuffy”PVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3417812JORDAN RAYMOND GEORGEFC1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813069JOWELL JOHNNY DPVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
34114225JOYNER Charlie Washington JrPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2873603JUSTICE HAROLD MORRICESM1c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
16020064KALOUS EDWARD BPFC Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813883KARR Nick PeteSGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3421029KEAST WILLIAM SHELDONSM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
4985163KEI SHUN CHINGmess stwt 2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
O-359454KEITHLY Oscar William1LT Th-TBRTH tbr
3422549KELLEY HARRY TheronSM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20812958KELM ALBERT MasonCPL Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3600964KENNEDY ALBERT ELMOMM3c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3465407KENNEY JAMES BBM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3214287KETMAN ROBERT Earl JRSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813738KEY Jack DempseyPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20813187KILPATRICK Roy FranklinPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
39156190KIRK John CummingsCPL Th-TBRTH tbr
20812930KITCHINGS HARRY ACPL Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3115604KOCHER BERNARD FrederickSM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3214437KOELLING VERNON LOUISMUSM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3001106KONDZELA LAWRENCE FrancisSM1c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
2999974KOOPER LEONARD WILLIAM “Koop”SM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3683845KOPP ALOIS “Al”PHM2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3001221KRASMIZEH TONY JOSEPH  “Dimpy”MM3c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
2999153KRASS RAYMOND GeorgeBM2c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
2999466KREKAN ALBERT Aurel “Red”F1c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
38051109KRIZAN Dan LeePVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
36119575KROL Joseph AlysiousPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3000940KULIBERT CHESTER LEROY “Jack”SM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
4985118KUN YUmess stwt 1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
2830324KUNKE CZESLAUS JohnGM2c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
38038129KUYKENDALL Earnest Layleo “Jack”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
36119560LABONTY Robert JoePVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38052153LABOVE John RayPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3932923LAMB ROBERT VERNESM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20813709LASITER A. W.PVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
2873867LAWSON GAINS WILLARDAMM3c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3285765LEE EARL HENRYSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813546LEE John William JrSGT Th-TBRTH Khao Din Thailand
38025914LEE Robert EPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3372423LEHNHOFF EUGENE ELMERSM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20813673LEWIS Marlin Barnes “Harpo”SGT Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
2833355LINDSLEY ALBERT JOHNSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3422306LOUIS LAURENCE GilbertGM3c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
O-387367LUMPKIN SAMUEL HughCPT (Med) Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813679LUMSDEN Thomas Buford Jr “Lum”SGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20814160LUNA ELTONPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
271816LUSK JOE Martin True  “Egghead”Sgt Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38036078MABE Ardie MarionPVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3809319MABRY JACOB PickettMM2c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
2233105MADSON QUENTIN CHRISTIANCOX Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3369976MAHLANDT MELVIN HENRYFCM1c Th-TBRTH Ubon Thailand
38036120MALAVEAR Jose Rivero “Joe”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813001MALLARD Billy Joe “Staff”SSG Th-TBRTH Khao Din Thailand
3720785MANION  Thomas Jr “TOMMY”SM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2236203MARINOS MATTHEW MICHAELSM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20812933MARTIN Elton LeroyPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813156MARTIN John William “Jake”CPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38026173MARTINEZ Martin Jr.PFC Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3286454MARTWICK PHILIP WalterSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38036060MASON Noel ThomasPFC Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3213097MCFADDEN ELMER LewisGM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3371248MCGARVEY ALBERT EMERYFCM2c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
38036291McKELVEY Robert OtisPFC Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3210814MCMANUS O CPTR2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2502418MCMASTER SAMUEL THOMASBM1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38038676MENDOZA Pete CrisologoPVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3213567MILES WILLIAM RIDGEWAYSM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
2954715MINTON OLEN CECILSM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
O-402039MORGAN Isaac Alvin Jr1LT Th-TBRTH Tha Muang
20813326MORRISON CLINTON DouglasPFC Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813712MORROW ROY LutherSGT Th-TBRTH tbr
20813474MOSS Jack DonaldPVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
38036217MUNDY Laffie HenrySGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813892NAYLOR Keith Forest “Zeke”SGT Th-TBRTH Tha Muang
3597341NEITSCH ALFRED RaymonMM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
O-85237NELSON JOHN BLOUNT “Lord Nelson”Lt(jg) Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3754201NICKEL HENRYBM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3721333NIEDERHAUS GEORGESM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38026233OCHOA Daniel JosephPVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
20813824OFFERLE IRVIN OSCAR “Big”SGT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813825OFFERLE ROY Maxwell “Little”SGT Th-TBRTH Bangkok
3761337OLIVER WILLIAM MELBURN JRSM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3858625OMOTH ROBERT ENGMANSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3562217PARHAM THOMAS EUGENE “Punchy”SM1c Th-TBRTH tbr
2743374PARISH BARTOW HARRISONAMM2c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813088PARKER ALLARD THOMASPVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3422348PARKER CLAUDE EUGENESM1c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
O-294063PARKER WILLIAM Douglas “Ike”CPT Th-TBRTH tbr
20813330PATTERSON PAUL LelandSSG Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2998359PETERSON LENNART OLEYGM2c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3759554PETERSON RAYMOND EUGENE “Ray”SK2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3001043PISTOLE FRANK LYLE HOWARD “Butch”AMM3c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2238313PITCHON SALVATORESM1c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
20814088PRUNTY Luther GlennSGT Th-TBRTH Phet Buri Thailand
269728PRYOR CHARLEY LOUIS Jr  “Fin”Sgt Th-TBRTH Phet Buri Thailand
3373208PULLEN ROBERT HAROLD “Popeye”SM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3560115PYE GUY EDGARGM3c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3371162RANGER JOHN WILLIAMAMM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813715RASBuRY LESTER ClarencePVT Th-TBRTH Phet Buri Thailand
2832523REAS JOHN CLIFFORDY2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813068REDWINE James DPVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3112202REED CLARENCE OSCARRM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813065REED Raymond DukePFC Th-TBRTH Phet Buri Thailand
20812967REED Wilson Green JrPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3602257REESE SELDON DORTEZ “Speedy”SM1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3821059REILLY JOHN DAVIDSM3c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38050703REIS GEORGE HenryTSG Th-TBRTH Nakorn Nayok
20813718RHINE WAYNE MarshallSGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813719Rich Robert LeePFC Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813896RICHARDSON Elmer SherwoodPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20814170RICHEY Raymond Alvin         “Red”PVT Th-TBRTH tbr
38027512RIOS Felipe GPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38050530RIVERO Louis JosephPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
280476ROCHFORD EUGENE DAVID “Rocky”Cpl Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38026157RODRIGUEZ Cristoval HernandezPVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3113364RODY LEOGM3c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813071ROGERS John Edward JrSSG Th-TBRTH tbr
O-81327ROGERS LEON WILLIAMLt(jg) Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20813834ROGERS William ColmoreSGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
O-266339ROGERS Winthrop Hammond “Windy”MAJ Th-TBRTH Bangkok Prison (for news via radio)
3000627ROSS WILLIAM J JRF2c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3211967ROTH JOHN THOMASMM2c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
38037183Rumbeck, James VernonCPL Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
20813897RUSSELL CHARLES E JrPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3601689RUSSELL MILTON BLAND “Tony”SM2c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38025825SALDANA REYNALDO AravaloPFC Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
20813480SAMPLES Emil RogerPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20812937SCARBROUGH Avon LeonCPL Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20812840SCHANDUA EDGAR JamesPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3856920SCHILPEROORT CLARENCE Harold “Skip”EM2c Th-TBRTH tbr
O-397748SCHMID Eldon Woener “Els”CPT Th-TBRTH tbr
20812999SCHMID Ellis ParsonTSG Th-TBRTH tbr
3210357SCHNECK WALTER KARLTONMUS3c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3209817SCHRAM THEODORE “Itch”B2c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3933362SCHUELKE JOHN HENRY “Machine Gun”SC2c Th-TBR-dcdTH Kanchanaburi
3165596SCHULZ RICHARD PAULSM3c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
20814097SEWELL Dan HomerCPL Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813898SHAVER HARVEY DPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813666SHAW Edwin Earl  “Jack”MSG Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2916290SHEARER JAMES MONROESM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
3416471SHETTLESWORTH CLINTON AndersonBM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
20813163SHORES Denzil OranPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
39077705SICKELS Melvin IraPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
39078080SILVA Eugene JohnPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20813725SINGLETON Ray Olen “Poke Eye”SGT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20813817SISK Jewel L1SG Th-TBR-VNSaigon
34140923SKILLERN Paul WoodyPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20815885SKINNER WALTER SidneyPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20814174SLATE Garth WallaceCPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
38060232SLAVENS Charles Owen “Dusty”PFC Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813384SMALLWOOD P J   “Pete”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813145SMITH Arthur Elisha JrPVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
O-85240SMITH CHARLES Donovan 2ndENS Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3560259SMITH HAROLD PECKEM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3563069SMITH JACK DALESM1c Th-TBRTH tbr
3809931SMITH JACK Leroy “Smitty”WT1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813727SMITH Walter OdellPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3933449SMITH WILBUR GeorgeSM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Nayok
38018820SNAKE Lawrence (nmi)PVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3114172SNYDER EARL Joseph “Joe”SM1c Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3858087SOULE IRVIN George TGM3c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3562655SPARKS RAYMOND LEROYSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38025593SPEECE Jack RichardPVT Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3114343SPENCER MASON DALESM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3001075SPRINKLE KENNETHSM2c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
2915805STANCZAK JOHNMM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38037025STARNES Woodrow Leon   “Woody or Wolftoe”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3754805STARR MELVIN Cecil “Pappy”SM1c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
2822710STEFANEK JOHN BartholomewSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38065137STEPHENSON William Herman   “Steve”PVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
O-83317STIVERS JOHN BellENS Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20812975STOUT George WashingtonPVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3599325STRICKLAND H S “Black Jack”MM3c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
5078480SU MARCOmess stwt 2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38038137SUMMERLIN Granville ThomasPVT Th-TBRTH Bangkok
20813682SUMMERS J L Jr                     “Jay”PVT Th-TBRTH Bangkok
20813728SUMMERS Leonard MarkPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3001115SUOMI SULO WALTERSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
3286675SWANSON DORSEY GUYSM1c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
2832702TANBERG ALBERT NealBKR3c Th-TBR-VN-dcdSaigon
O-347962TAYLOR Clark LewisCPT Th-TBRTH Bangkok
4134090TEMPLEMAN EDWARD JOHNSM1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3161791TERRY ARCHIE HarrisonCWT Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
2999431TETTERTON WILLIAM EllodiusMM3c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
O-200947THARP Blucher StanleyLTC Th-TBRTH Nakorn Nayok
3603600THOMAS CHARLEY LAWRENCESM2c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
20812976THOMPSON Kyle Olonious  JrPFC Th-TBRTH Nakorn Nayok
38038726THOMPSON LLOYD D.PVT Th-TBRTH tbr
38038890THORNTON Hartland ChesterPVT Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3213502TIEFEL DALE JOSEPHSM1c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
38051061TIEMANN Elton WilliamPVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
20814115TILGHMAN Marvin EdwardSGT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20813334TIMS Roy EdwinCPL Th-TBRTH tbr
38025657TOALSON Elmer CarrollPFC Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
37021996TOPLE Emil Ferdinard “Fredie”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
36008820TREMONTE Ted JoePVT Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3417221TRIM DONALD PAULCOX Th-TBR-dcd105 Kilo Camp, Burma
4976278TSAO CHU LINmess stwt 1c Th-TBRTH CAMP 1
3822234TUCKER WILLIAM EDWARDMUSM2c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813731UPPERMAN MaxSGT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3563334USHER REXFORD DEMINGSM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38025798VALLEJO  Jose FructosoPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
37081656VOGE Warren HardingPVT Th-TBRTH Ubon Thailand
3000518VOGT LAVERNE WILLIAM “Bud”SM2c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
20813904WALLING HAL CCPL Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3721044WARD FRANK CalvinEM3c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2999721WARGOWSKY LAWRENCE RichardEM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
3601119WASHBURN CLAUDE William JRSM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
20813732WATERS Nelson HCPL Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813021WEBB Jesse ErnestPVT Th-TBRTH tbr
20812998WEBB Wade Hill “Hincus”SGT Th-TBRTH Khao Din Thailand
20813075WEBSTER Oscar CharlesPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
3755526WEEKS ROY SANTOSMM2c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
3601116WEISSINGER WILLIAM Jacob JrSM1c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3857757WELFELT EDWARD AbrahamMM2c Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38037034WESTERN Weldon OtisPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
2872040WHALEY JOSEPH HOYTSM1c Th-TBRTH tbr
20813002WHATLEY Hiram Jefferson Jr  “HJ”PVT Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
2741782WHITE JAMES HENRYSF1c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813861WHITEHEAD Thomas AlbertCPL Th-TBRTH Ubon Thailand
2823123WIDMEYER HARRY CLARKSM1c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
3372799WILDER ROBERT LeeSM1c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3684794WILKER MAX WallentineFC3c Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
3721746WILKINSON EUGENE THOMASSM2c Th-TBRTH tbr
3563026WILLIAMS JOHN MARSHALLSM1c Th-TBRTH tbr
3165015WILLIAMS ROY OSCARGM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38027534WILLIAMS Warren AlexanderPFC Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20813733WILLIAMSON Babe RuthCPL Th-TBR-dcdTH Tha Makhan
20813022WILLIAMSON Don TravisSGT Th-TBRTH tbr
2916330WILLIS DONNIS WAYNESM1c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
20813339WILSON Edwin ParisCPL Th-TBR-dcdBurma Thanbyuzayat
34141125WILSON Fred Oscar Jr “Fat Boy”PVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
34140895WINCHESTER Charles HubertPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3285916WITTKOP LAWRENCE HENRYMM3c Th-TBRTH HenDaTai
3001577WOLOS ALEXANDER JAMESSM2c Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
20813194WOLTZ Donald GlennPFC Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
2956806WOODY STANLEY DORCHSM2c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
38065142WOOTAN Tom ClaytonCPL Th-TBR-JpFuk-24B-Emukae (Senryu)
38036548WOOTEN Weldon JacksonPVT Th-TBR-VNSaigon
20814105WORTHINGTON Charles EdwinSGT Th-TBRTH tbr
O-191366WRIGHT Huddleston W “Hud”CPT Th-TBRTH Phet Buri Thailand
3601106WYNN MARVIN ANGLOUSSM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3598365YARBRO ROBERT LEEGM1c Th-TBRBurma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
20813396YARBROUGH William EdwardPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Pathom hospital
3721278YATES DONALD RALPHMM3c Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38036040YELL Archie BCPL Th-TBR-dcd80 Kilo Camp Apalaine Burma
38038976YORK BillPVT Th-TBRTH Nike #3 Camp
38038946YORK Coy DenverPVT Th-TBRTH Nakorn Nayok
3114650YOUNG KENNETH ASASM1c Th-TBR-dcd100 Kilo Camp Burma
3283506ZABLER WALLACE ERNESTEM1c Th-TBRTH tbr
38052156ZUMMO Vincent Paul  “Zip”PVT Th-TBRTH tbr
O-06673BARRETT EDWARD MILES2Lt Th-SgChangi
38050412CARPENTER Albert Lewis “Buttercup”CPL Th-SgChangi
3416164KELLEY ALBERT Manuel “Hap”MUSM2c Th-SgChangi
O-96613LEVITT HERBERT Alfred “Moose”ENS Th-Sg-MUKMukden Manchuria
3599045MARTIN ROBERT IrvinSM1c Th-SgChangi
38036050MORRIS Herbert Raymond “Herbie”PFC Th-SgChangi
3720798PAPISH PAUL ErnestSK3c Th-SgChangi
2794095PORTER JOHN JOSEPHMUS1c Th-SgChangi
3418724RHODES FRANKWT2c Th-SgChangi
3601782RUSHING ROBERT CHARLESSM1c Th-SgChangi
6100143SCHERTZ JOSEPH William JrSM1c Th-SgChangi
20813388STEWART CleonSGT Th-SgChangi
2617572CLARK DALLAS RHEAMM1c Th-Sg-TBR/FTH Khao Din Thailand
2832428FLANIGAN GEORGE PORTMANSK2c Th-Sg-TBR/FTH tbr
2622227HAWKINS DEFOIX WILSONSM1c Th-Sg-TBR/FTH tbr
20813376NIXON Francis EltonPFC Th-Sg-TBR/FTH Tarsao
38018872RICKEL Audie DilmusPVT Th-Sg-TBR/FTH Tarsao
20813386SPANN Buster HomerPVT Th-Sg-TBR/FTH Nakorn Nayok
20813336WEISS Earl  (nmi)PVT Th-Sg-TBR/FTH tbr
38038970WILHITE Herman LPVT Th-Sg-TBR/FTH tbr
2916350WILLIAMS DAVID MARVINSM1c Th-Sg-TBR/F-dcdTH Chung Kai
20812919WISDOM Wiley Woodrow “Jack”1SG Th-Sg-TBR/FTH Nakorn Nayok
3558804BUSH ELMO Arnton  “Joe”AOM2c Th-Sg-TBR/HChangi Jail
20812922FICKLIN Frank WilsonSSG Th-Sg-TBR/HChangi Jail
20813012GORDON Crayton Robert  “Quaty”SGT Th-Sg-TBR/HChangi Jail
20813188MOORE GLEN Everett  “Cy” “Buddy”PFC Th-Sg-TBR/HTH Th-Hintok ‘F & H’ Hospital Camp No 1
3372469MORRIS RALPH EdgarMUSM2c Th-Sg-TBR/H2Changi Jail
20813832MORROW Adolphus Campbell  “Doc”PFC Th-Sg-TBR/HChangi Jail
3214339ROSZELL LYLE THOMASSM1c Th-Sg-TBR/H1TH Tarsoa
3561863STEVENS NORMAN EugeneFCM3c Th-Sg-TBR/HChangi Jail
20812978WHITAKER Charles Winfield JrPVT Th-Sg-TBR/HChangi Jail
277559WISECUP JOHN Herbert “Slapsy”Pvt Th-Sg-TBR/HChangi Jail

PVT LIVORIO HERRERA was the final Tharp-TBR death in Thailand on 7 MAY 44 when he died of dysentery at the Nakorn Pathom hospital.

=======================

The majority of the men that Tharp had left behind in Singapore remained there for the remainder of their POW time. A few were added to the HINTOK Grp [see Section 28.5] and a handful were eventually reunited with their comrades when they traveled as part of the F Force.

I have also simplified this roster by designating those men who remained in the Kanchanaburi as TBR as opposed to those who were sent elsewhere. There were a fair number of camps that men moved in and out of. One of the more common destinations was the large hospital camp at nearby Nakorn Pathom. In the later weeks of the war, many of the officers were being separted and shifted to the Nakorn Nayok camp. LTC Tharp and his staff spent a short time there just before liberation. I have noted 2 men who were at the Petchburi camp to set them apart in that they were the only 2 American who successfully escaped captivity. With the help of local villagers (Seri Thai or sympathizers) they were linked up with OSS operatives and assisted them in data collection for a few weeks, until the war ended.

CPT Ira Fowler was the commander of the group that was sent from KAN to Saigon. His group consisted of men chosen from both the Tharp and Fitzsimmons Groups. At the end of the war, he quickly re-established with LTC Tharp in Bangkok and arranged for the Saigon group to be flown back and then on to Calcutta.

Reunited with Comrades

In conjunction with my intrepid researcher, Marianne, I have solved another small part of the US POW TBR puzzle. There was a small group of men whose journey seemed confusing in that their records indicated that they had been left behind in Singapore when the Tharp Party moved to Burma, but they were also recorded as being liberated from Kanchanaburi. It was unclear how they would have made their way there to reunite with their comrades. The only prior group that had traveled to and worked in Thailand was the H Force Hintok Group; they had all been returned to Singapore upon completion of the Railway.

But a series of rosters that Marianne located helped explain — at least in part — how the journey of this other group of 10 proceeded. They are listed as having traveled by train to BanPong in APR 43. By the timing, this would likely have placed them in F Force. H Force did not arrive until MAY 43. Like H, F Force was a composite group of ‘replacements’ who were distributed at various camps beginning at about the Hintok area. Many of them went far into the Thai Highlands. There a British contingent suffered through a cholera outbreak that killed between 2 and 3 hundred of them. We cannot precisely place the US POWs as to the places they worked on the TBR.

We do know, however, that the Tharp Group was moved into the Thai Highlands after the completion of the TBR and worked there for some months cutting wood for train fuel until they were finally consolidated to Tamarkam. Given the fact that this small group who had arrived as part of F Force but were later liberated from the Tamarkam camp, we can only speculate that they were somehow reunited with their comrades. It would seem that the first opportunity for this to take place would have been at SongKurai. Both groups were known to have been in this area even though we do not know precisely when. Such a change of assigned groups was quite unusual. The IJA guards were quite fanatic about their numbers of assigned prisoners.

Whether the switch took place in the highlands or upon arrival at Tamarkam is unknown. But the available records indicate that they were reunited. The journey of one of them seems to confirm that. This group consisted of:

2617572CLARK DALLAS RHEAMM1c
2832428FLANIGAN GEORGE PORTMANSK2c
2622227HAWKINS DEFOIX WILSONSM1c
20813376NIXON Francis EltonPFC
38018872RICKEL Audie DilmusPVT
20813386SPANN Buster HomerPVT
20813336WEISS EarlPVT
38038970WILHITE Herman LPVT
20812919WISDOM Wiley Woodrow1SG
2916350WILLIAMS DAVID MARVIN (deceased)SM1c

According to the personal diary of Lt(jg) Hamlin, in DEC 1943 all but Seaman Williams (who had died in June) were transferred back to the Tharp Group to which they had originally been assigned but had been left in the hospital in Singapore when that Group departed in JAN 43.

The one man whose journey confirms the reuniting is BUSTER SPANN. We have two independent sources that state that he was liberated from the Officer’s Camp at Nakorn Nayok after he was selected by one of Tharp’s staff to act as his orderly (or batman as the British would call it). In OCT-NOV 42, The Tharp Group and the majority of E Battery were both transiting through Singapore. We know that they made contact but were never merged or reunited nor were any men shifted between them. But SPANN’s movement to Nakorn Nayok all but proves that these 10 men were indeed reincorporated into the Tharp Party.

There is also documentation that Dallas Clark was one of the 10 US personnel who worked at the Khao Din Railyard; so we know that he was present in KAN and did not return to Singapore as did the British and Australian survivors of F Force.

Survivor descriptions of F Force indicate that they were spread over a wide area in many camps in the Thai Highlands (Nike, Sonkurai for example) and that some may even have crossed over into Burma. Again, this would have been unusual since the Thai and Burmese sections of the Railway were separately administered. But since the F and H Forces technically remained attached to the Singapore command, I suppose that a cros border movement would heve been possible. The main purpose of F Force was to provide replacements to former camps as disease and malnutrition took a heavier and heavier toll. Un fortunately for both sides (POWs and IJA Engineers) the state of health of F Force by the time they reached the Highlands work camps was so poor that they became more of a burden than a benefit. This group was also the hardest hit by cholera that had begun to spread through these camps just before they arrived in the spring of 1943. One British F Force survivor describes how he accompanied a group of the sickest men from the SongKurai area to a hospital camp at Thabaya, Burma. This illustrates that although there were 2 separate Railway Regimental Commands, there was communication and ‘commerce’ between them. He goes on to state that some of the foodstuffs they received in the Thai Highlands came via Burma.

We will likely never know the circumstances that led to this cross-over from F Force to the Tharp Group, but it is now clear that there was a second small group of 10 who worked the TBR in the Thai sector rather than in Burma. They and those in the Hintok group arrived by train at the BanPong transit camp and made the trek on foot for well over 100 Kms from there to their eventual places of work.

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