“Del was a civilian captured on Wake Island. When the North China Marines arrived in Woosung in early February 1942 the POW’s from Wake were already there. Del was among approximately 70 POW’s sent from Woosung to Fukuoka 3-B in Japan in November of 1942.”
In 2002, Delos Brown e-mailed a description of what Christmas eve was like in the Fukuoka 3-B Camp in 1944 to the webmaster at www.northchinamarines.com
Contributed by Delos Brown:
“1944 POW Fukuoka Camp 3, Kokura, Japan, after twelve hours of breaking work in Yawata steel mills and an hour ride to camp in an open gondola car with freezing sleet, we forgot about it being Christmas eve. On bed-bug infested straw mats, we tried to get some sleep and rest for our worn bodies while the bed-bugs drained our anemic blood. We were awakened by Japanese guards hitting us with clubs and rifle butts about two in the morning. We were driven out of the barracks in thirty degree sleet. Standing frozen in damp, freezing weather we were forced to sing Christmas carols as the guards stood wrapped in warm coats and laughed. This was their idea of a cruel joke and insult to our customs. On being allowed back in the barracks after nearly an hour standing and singing in the freezing sleet, we found a Japanese tube sock with one rice cracker on each man’s mat. We knew we could barely get our frozen bodies warm before being rousted out before daylight for another freezing ride and another twelve hours of slave labor in the steel mills on Christmas day. With all these Christmases past, the four F’s I have (FREEDOM, sincere FRIENDS, loving FAMILY, and nourishing FOOD) make each and every day Christmas Day.”
As of today 23 November 2014, I have been unable to discern how Delos Brown and my father, Jacob Johler met. Since thy did have a connection, I wanted to post the correspondence in the event that there are interested descendants seeking information.
As I was completing this entry, the sun peaked out on a very gloomy day. This often happens when I am hard at work on this project. It is almost as if the POW’s from the Woosung camp and the Fukuoka Camp 3 are saying “thank you” for remembering. Here are some of the images.
Correspondence to Marie Stoiber regarding Edward Hoyczyk from Buffalo, New York who was wounded on Okinawa:
Transcription of original letter from Edward Hoyczyk’s family member or close friend to Marie Stoiber appears below:
July 26, 1945
Dear Marie,
I received your kind and understanding letter and am finally answering it. Yes, I do remember you very well. Ed always told us about his visits to your home and always remarked on what grand times he had there, and what swell parents you have.
I really don’t know how to begin this letter explaining the awful tragedy that hit our home. It’s just something that is very hard to believe and take. Sometimes I think it was just a bad dream. How I wish that were true.
It happened on Okinawa about May 25th. A bullet went straight through from his right temple to his left temple, taking the upper part of his eyes right out with it. They brought him to California as soon as possible by plane, but nothing could be done.
He is now in Philadelphia as you know. My father went down there to see if he could offer an eye or do anything humanely possible, but there is no hope. Of course, the doctors keep saying
that we should never give up hope, as famous Russian doctors and scientists are working along these lines, to make the blind see again, and they are doing great things.
Chuck went down to see Ed a few weeks ago, and he said that they really had a grand time together. He says that Ed is progressing very rapidly with his braille and is able to get around quite well by himself. We talked to him on the telephone a couple of times and he sounded just like the same cheerful he always was. He does not seem to feel sorry for himself, and says that he is glad to be alive, and says that he is better off than a lot of the fellows he was down there with. I was home on vacation two weeks ago, and asked him whether I could come to visit him, but he said not to as he is coming home soon for a short stay, and then he has to go back to the hospital.
He called last Thursday and said that they were sending him to New York for a few weeks. He did not say why though. However, he expects to be back in Philadelphia around the first of August.
The hospital authorities got his school records from Canisius, and I think that they are planning to send him to the Wharton School of Business, a part of the University of Pennsylvania. My father says that it is one of the greatest business schools in the country, and after a boy is through there he is set for life. You know what a wonderful scholar Ed is, so there is no doubt about his really making something of himself.
If you write to him address his mail as follows:
PFC Edward J. Hoyczyk
MB. N. Yd. Philadelphia, Penna
I understand that Frank Steger and Dick Hacker will be home within about a month, and I’ll bet they will get together with the rest of the guys and have a grand reunion.
I hope you do not mind me typing this letter, but my one and only fountain pen leaks rather badly, consequently leaving my fingers and paper in rather a mess.
I hope this letter find you and your family in the best of health, and again, thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely yours,
Florence
Correspondence from Admiral John Markam Adams to T/Sgt. Jacob Johler:
Admiral Adams address at the time he sent the Christmas greeting was as follows:
3505, University Blvd.
Apt 125
Tyler, Texas 75701
Johlerpow and Zale et al. 
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